Guardian: Iraq PM given sweeping powers
Iraq's new prime minister, Ayad Allawi, was yesterday given sweeping powers to counter insurgents, including the right to declare a state of emergency and impose nationwide curfews.
The comprehensive package of measures will also allow him to appoint military governors to take charge of cities or provinces, close the country's borders, seize the assets of suspects and monitor their phone calls and emails.
The national security law, which was passed unanimously by the cabinet, was unveiled by ministers in the heavily guarded "green zone" in central Baghdad as masked fighters battled Iraqi police and US troops less than a mile away.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
ZIONISM
Christian Science Monitor: Mixing prophecy and politics
Christian Zionists are growing in influence - even as they fight for policies their critics say work against peace in the Mideast. For these believers, it's all about fulfilling biblical prophecy.
The prophecy
For Christian Zionists, the modern state of Israel is the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham and the center of His action from now to the Second Coming of Christ and final battle of Armageddon, when the Antichrist will be defeated. But before this can occur, they say, biblical prophecy foretells the return of Jews from other countries; Israel's possession of all the land between the Euphrates and Nile rivers; and the rebuilding of the Jewish temple where a Muslim site, Dome of the Rock, now stands.
These beliefs lead to positions that critics say are uncompromising and ignore the fact that most Israelis want peace. "Pressuring the US government away from peace negotiations and toward an annexationist policy, that has a direct negative impact on the potential for change in the Middle East," says Gershom Gorenberg, a senior editor at The Jerusalem Report newsmagazine
"CHECK IT"
Christian Zionists are growing in influence - even as they fight for policies their critics say work against peace in the Mideast. For these believers, it's all about fulfilling biblical prophecy.
The prophecy
For Christian Zionists, the modern state of Israel is the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham and the center of His action from now to the Second Coming of Christ and final battle of Armageddon, when the Antichrist will be defeated. But before this can occur, they say, biblical prophecy foretells the return of Jews from other countries; Israel's possession of all the land between the Euphrates and Nile rivers; and the rebuilding of the Jewish temple where a Muslim site, Dome of the Rock, now stands.
These beliefs lead to positions that critics say are uncompromising and ignore the fact that most Israelis want peace. "Pressuring the US government away from peace negotiations and toward an annexationist policy, that has a direct negative impact on the potential for change in the Middle East," says Gershom Gorenberg, a senior editor at The Jerusalem Report newsmagazine
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ: INTIFADA
Guardian: Iraq is now another Palestine
The first Bush and his Gulf war paved the way for the age of terror
Before Iraq had unravelled, Tony Blair last November delivered one of his most impassioned defences of the war at the Lord Mayor's banquet. He was hoping to undercut critics before President Bush's visit. Iraq, he said, was "the battle of seminal importance for the early 21st century. It will define relations between the Muslim world and the west. It will influence profoundly the development of Arab states and the Middle East. It will have far-reaching implications for the future of American and western diplomacy."
The prime minister was right - but a decade late in understanding the centrality of Iraq in the current world order. It was the first Gulf war in 1991 and the accompanying sanctions and stationing of US troops in Saudi Arabia that had driven deep cleavages in relations between Islam and the west. More important, it had given rise to the age of global terror - beginning with the first World Trade Centre bombing in 1993. In the decades of Palestinian and Arab anger at the US for its close support of Israeli occupation, it had never before been targeted except in the Middle East.
"CHECK IT"
The first Bush and his Gulf war paved the way for the age of terror
Before Iraq had unravelled, Tony Blair last November delivered one of his most impassioned defences of the war at the Lord Mayor's banquet. He was hoping to undercut critics before President Bush's visit. Iraq, he said, was "the battle of seminal importance for the early 21st century. It will define relations between the Muslim world and the west. It will influence profoundly the development of Arab states and the Middle East. It will have far-reaching implications for the future of American and western diplomacy."
The prime minister was right - but a decade late in understanding the centrality of Iraq in the current world order. It was the first Gulf war in 1991 and the accompanying sanctions and stationing of US troops in Saudi Arabia that had driven deep cleavages in relations between Islam and the west. More important, it had given rise to the age of global terror - beginning with the first World Trade Centre bombing in 1993. In the decades of Palestinian and Arab anger at the US for its close support of Israeli occupation, it had never before been targeted except in the Middle East.
"CHECK IT"
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
CAPITALISM
GNN: The Corporation
box office record-setting documentary is sweeping the country, and it’s not Fahrenheit 9/11. The Corporation, the long-awaited documentary from Jennifer Abbott, Joel Bakan and Mark Achbar recently became the highest grossing documentary in Canadian history In fact, the film is in many ways more important than F-9/11. Moore looks at the symptom; The Corporation takes on the disease.
The problems are too deep. Only structural change can bring democratic accountability to what has become the planet’s most lawless and dangerous institution.
GNN spoke with a trailblazing corporate reformer not featured in the film who has some answers on how that could happen. Author of The Divine Right of Capital, Marjorie Kelly is the founder of Business Ethics magazine and a leader in the corporate reform movement. Kelly argues that blind devotion to short-term profits for stockholders over the well-being of everyone else is equivalent to corporate feudalism. She says nothing short of a peaceful democratic revolution in American business can save global capitalism from itself:
GNN: How did you start down this path?
Kelly: When I started Business Ethics I thought that socially responsible business people changing their own companies was how we could transform capitalism. But I no longer believe that. I believe that the problems are at the systems level.
box office record-setting documentary is sweeping the country, and it’s not Fahrenheit 9/11. The Corporation, the long-awaited documentary from Jennifer Abbott, Joel Bakan and Mark Achbar recently became the highest grossing documentary in Canadian history In fact, the film is in many ways more important than F-9/11. Moore looks at the symptom; The Corporation takes on the disease.
The problems are too deep. Only structural change can bring democratic accountability to what has become the planet’s most lawless and dangerous institution.
GNN spoke with a trailblazing corporate reformer not featured in the film who has some answers on how that could happen. Author of The Divine Right of Capital, Marjorie Kelly is the founder of Business Ethics magazine and a leader in the corporate reform movement. Kelly argues that blind devotion to short-term profits for stockholders over the well-being of everyone else is equivalent to corporate feudalism. She says nothing short of a peaceful democratic revolution in American business can save global capitalism from itself:
GNN: How did you start down this path?
Kelly: When I started Business Ethics I thought that socially responsible business people changing their own companies was how we could transform capitalism. But I no longer believe that. I believe that the problems are at the systems level.
USA VS. CUBA
Truthout: This Is How You Bring Down Fidel Castro?
Just when you thought that U.S. policy toward Cuba couldn't get any dumber, along comes President Bush with another grandstanding stunt that is doomed to backfire.
To punish Fidel Castro, the U.S. Treasury Department last week rolled out new rules sharply curtailing travel to Cuba by exiles living in the United States
Under the new controls, Cuban Americans will only be allowed to visit immediate relatives on the island every three years, instead of annually, and will be permitted to stay only two weeks. Exiles going to Cuba will be restricted to spending $50 daily, instead of the previous limit of $167.
In addition, the Bush administration is reducing the cash remittances sent by exiles to their Cuban relatives. The annual $1,200 allowance may now go only to immediate family members - not cousins, aunts or uncles.
The theory behind the new policy is to starve the Castro regime of precious income and thereby hasten its downfall. Seriously. That's the White House line - the same one we've heard for more than 40 years.
Just when you thought that U.S. policy toward Cuba couldn't get any dumber, along comes President Bush with another grandstanding stunt that is doomed to backfire.
To punish Fidel Castro, the U.S. Treasury Department last week rolled out new rules sharply curtailing travel to Cuba by exiles living in the United States
Under the new controls, Cuban Americans will only be allowed to visit immediate relatives on the island every three years, instead of annually, and will be permitted to stay only two weeks. Exiles going to Cuba will be restricted to spending $50 daily, instead of the previous limit of $167.
In addition, the Bush administration is reducing the cash remittances sent by exiles to their Cuban relatives. The annual $1,200 allowance may now go only to immediate family members - not cousins, aunts or uncles.
The theory behind the new policy is to starve the Castro regime of precious income and thereby hasten its downfall. Seriously. That's the White House line - the same one we've heard for more than 40 years.
PROPAGANDA WATCH: ONLINE VIDEO
Informationclearinghouse: Elite Propaganda
The Myth of the Liberal Media
Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky demolish one of the central tenets of our political culture, the idea of the "liberal media." Instead, utilizing a systematic model based on massive empirical research, they reveal the manner in which the news media are so subordinated to corporate and conservative interests that their function can only be described as that of "elite propaganda."
Video: Real Player: Run Time - 60 Minutes
"If you want to understand the way a system works, you look at its institutional structure. How it is organized, how it is controlled, how it is funded."
-Noam Chomsky
"The Mainstream media really represent elite interests, and what the propaganda model tries to do is stipulate a set of institutional variables, reflecting this elite power, that very powerfully influence the media."
-Edward Herman
The Myth of the Liberal Media
Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky demolish one of the central tenets of our political culture, the idea of the "liberal media." Instead, utilizing a systematic model based on massive empirical research, they reveal the manner in which the news media are so subordinated to corporate and conservative interests that their function can only be described as that of "elite propaganda."
Video: Real Player: Run Time - 60 Minutes
"If you want to understand the way a system works, you look at its institutional structure. How it is organized, how it is controlled, how it is funded."
-Noam Chomsky
"The Mainstream media really represent elite interests, and what the propaganda model tries to do is stipulate a set of institutional variables, reflecting this elite power, that very powerfully influence the media."
-Edward Herman
ISRAEL/USA VS. IRAN
THE NEW YORKER: Plan B by by Seymour M. Hersh
As June 30th approaches, Israel looks to the Kurds.
"CHECK IT"
Comment to the Report Above by info.clearinghouse: Slipping Toward Armageddon
Israel in Iraq
The fact that Israeli operatives are now in Iraq explodes once and for all the oft-repeated claim that America is an honest peace broker. The whole world will now understand that this was just another of Washington’s many deceptions. Bush’s uncritical support of Sharon’s iron fist shows that even the pretense of impartiality has now evaporated. And, to the shame of every American who cares about justice, candidate Kerry has seconded Bush on Israel without qualification.
Bush’s Iraq policy has imploded. In fact, there never was a coherent policy, apart from grabbing the oil. It was always just a bunch of lies packaged as patriotic slogans for popular consumption here at home. And the Israelis, who wanted the war (just about any war is OK with them) are now where they’ve wanted to be for years, that is, on the Iran border, i.e., positioning themselves for the next round when the shinola really hits the fan: the shooting match that will make everything we’ve seen up until now look like a warm-up.
Clearly, Iran figures large in the Israeli calculus. Though it was not reported here in the US media -- at least, I never saw one word about it -- Iran was one of the key issues in the last Israeli election. Sharon and his opponent Benjamin Netanyahu squared-off during the campaign, and the issue was the specter of a nuclearized Shi’ite theocracy. The debate was bitter. Netanyahu took the view that it was too late to prevent Iran from going nuclear, and that Israel must accept this and come to terms. This inflamed Sharon, who accused Netanyahu of treason. Clearly, Sharon believed, and still believes, that Israel must go to any length to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, even if this means going to war (again), which means persuading, pushing, and if necessary dragging the Americans into it.
I hasten to add that it’s far from proved that Iran is building, or intends to build, Bombs. There is no smoking gun, and no hard evidence insofar as I know. It appears that Iran’s policy is to develop nuclear power for energy production while keeping its options open for the future. Such a policy is totally understandable, given Israel’s own massive nuclear arsenal, the existence of which is beyond dispute, even if the White House doesn’t want to be reminded. Let us remember, Israel’s nukes are aimed at Tehran. Put yourself in the Iranians’ shoes. It’s unreasonable to expect them to forswear nukes forever unless WE in America are also prepared to pressure the Israeli government to sign the NPT and open ALL of Israel’s nuclear sites to inspectors. I mean the strengthened IAEA regime of unannounced inspections, whenever and wherever.
As June 30th approaches, Israel looks to the Kurds.
"CHECK IT"
Comment to the Report Above by info.clearinghouse: Slipping Toward Armageddon
Israel in Iraq
The fact that Israeli operatives are now in Iraq explodes once and for all the oft-repeated claim that America is an honest peace broker. The whole world will now understand that this was just another of Washington’s many deceptions. Bush’s uncritical support of Sharon’s iron fist shows that even the pretense of impartiality has now evaporated. And, to the shame of every American who cares about justice, candidate Kerry has seconded Bush on Israel without qualification.
Bush’s Iraq policy has imploded. In fact, there never was a coherent policy, apart from grabbing the oil. It was always just a bunch of lies packaged as patriotic slogans for popular consumption here at home. And the Israelis, who wanted the war (just about any war is OK with them) are now where they’ve wanted to be for years, that is, on the Iran border, i.e., positioning themselves for the next round when the shinola really hits the fan: the shooting match that will make everything we’ve seen up until now look like a warm-up.
Clearly, Iran figures large in the Israeli calculus. Though it was not reported here in the US media -- at least, I never saw one word about it -- Iran was one of the key issues in the last Israeli election. Sharon and his opponent Benjamin Netanyahu squared-off during the campaign, and the issue was the specter of a nuclearized Shi’ite theocracy. The debate was bitter. Netanyahu took the view that it was too late to prevent Iran from going nuclear, and that Israel must accept this and come to terms. This inflamed Sharon, who accused Netanyahu of treason. Clearly, Sharon believed, and still believes, that Israel must go to any length to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, even if this means going to war (again), which means persuading, pushing, and if necessary dragging the Americans into it.
I hasten to add that it’s far from proved that Iran is building, or intends to build, Bombs. There is no smoking gun, and no hard evidence insofar as I know. It appears that Iran’s policy is to develop nuclear power for energy production while keeping its options open for the future. Such a policy is totally understandable, given Israel’s own massive nuclear arsenal, the existence of which is beyond dispute, even if the White House doesn’t want to be reminded. Let us remember, Israel’s nukes are aimed at Tehran. Put yourself in the Iranians’ shoes. It’s unreasonable to expect them to forswear nukes forever unless WE in America are also prepared to pressure the Israeli government to sign the NPT and open ALL of Israel’s nuclear sites to inspectors. I mean the strengthened IAEA regime of unannounced inspections, whenever and wherever.
NEW IRAQ
News-Leader: Government illegitimate, militant cleric says
Baghdad, Iraq — The militant Shiite cleric whose uprising in April left hundreds dead pledged Sunday to resist "oppression and occupation" and calling the new interim Iraqi government "illegitimate."
Muqtada al-Sadr made the declaration in a statement distributed by his office in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, where his al-Mahdi militia battled American troops until a cease-fire last month.
"We pledge to the Iraqi people and the world to continue resisting oppression and occupation to our last drop of blood," al-Sadr said. "Resistance is a legitimate right and not a crime to be punished."
Baghdad, Iraq — The militant Shiite cleric whose uprising in April left hundreds dead pledged Sunday to resist "oppression and occupation" and calling the new interim Iraqi government "illegitimate."
Muqtada al-Sadr made the declaration in a statement distributed by his office in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, where his al-Mahdi militia battled American troops until a cease-fire last month.
"We pledge to the Iraqi people and the world to continue resisting oppression and occupation to our last drop of blood," al-Sadr said. "Resistance is a legitimate right and not a crime to be punished."
IRAQ: WMD
Scotsman: WMD report shatters Blair's credibility
TONY Blair’s credibility over weapons of mass destruction is set to face its sternest test after his special envoy to Iraq conceded yesterday Saddam Hussein had stockpiled none.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s remarkably frank admission came as speculation mounted that two of Britain’s top spymasters and the government’s most senior law officer will be criticised by an official inquiry into the handling of intelligence on Saddam’s WMD.
The 100-page draft of Lord Butler of Brockwell’s report, according to the Sunday Times, will criticise MI6 after it admitted its intelligence on WMD - at one stage Mr Blair’s basis for the conflict to remove Saddam - was wrong.
TONY Blair’s credibility over weapons of mass destruction is set to face its sternest test after his special envoy to Iraq conceded yesterday Saddam Hussein had stockpiled none.
Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s remarkably frank admission came as speculation mounted that two of Britain’s top spymasters and the government’s most senior law officer will be criticised by an official inquiry into the handling of intelligence on Saddam’s WMD.
The 100-page draft of Lord Butler of Brockwell’s report, according to the Sunday Times, will criticise MI6 after it admitted its intelligence on WMD - at one stage Mr Blair’s basis for the conflict to remove Saddam - was wrong.
AFGHANISTAN
JapanToday: Afghan Taliban claim to kill 7 coalition soldiers
The Taliban militia on Sunday claimed to have killed seven coalition soldiers in Zabul Province in southwestern Afghanistan, Afghan Islamic Press reported.
The report quoted Taliban spokesman Mufti Lateefuddin Hakeemi as saying that seven coalition soldiers were killed in a clash late Saturday in a village in the Dai Chopan area of the province. (Kyodo News)
The Taliban militia on Sunday claimed to have killed seven coalition soldiers in Zabul Province in southwestern Afghanistan, Afghan Islamic Press reported.
The report quoted Taliban spokesman Mufti Lateefuddin Hakeemi as saying that seven coalition soldiers were killed in a clash late Saturday in a village in the Dai Chopan area of the province. (Kyodo News)
MEDIA WATCH
Independent: Why the truth must be told
Broadcasters are cheating the public by denying them the chance to see hard-hitting documentaries, argues John Pilger
Britain remains one of the few countries where documentaries are still shown on mainstream television in the hours when most people are awake. But documentaries that go against the received wisdom and inform are becoming an endangered species, at the very time we need them most. That will be a tragedy; for viewers in this country are not only used to but supportive of an eclectic range of programmes, unlike in the US, where people expect television to be little more than a shopping mall with buskers. Rupert Murdoch's Fox Channel, a parody of journalism, fits this perfectly; and he wants us to have the same.
Broadcasters are cheating the public by denying them the chance to see hard-hitting documentaries, argues John Pilger
Britain remains one of the few countries where documentaries are still shown on mainstream television in the hours when most people are awake. But documentaries that go against the received wisdom and inform are becoming an endangered species, at the very time we need them most. That will be a tragedy; for viewers in this country are not only used to but supportive of an eclectic range of programmes, unlike in the US, where people expect television to be little more than a shopping mall with buskers. Rupert Murdoch's Fox Channel, a parody of journalism, fits this perfectly; and he wants us to have the same.
IRAQ WAR: ONLINE VIDEO
Informationclearinghouse: The Whole Truth About The Iraq War
Robert Greenwald - 87 minutes: Windows Media
An impressive roster of experts is assembled to provide a generally withering commentary on the quality of evidence and possible motivations of the Neo-conservatives who provided the momentum and muscle behind America's venture into preemptive war. Among them are veteran CIA analysts and operatives, military officers, diplomats, politicians, arms inspectors, and U.S. and British government officials. The fig leaf of the possibility of an honest mistake on the matter of WMDs is stripped away; what is left is the stark and disturbing anatomy of deliberate deceit.
Due to costs for Hosting and bandwidth charges, This Video will only be available through 07/07/04
Direct Download
Robert Greenwald - 87 minutes: Windows Media
An impressive roster of experts is assembled to provide a generally withering commentary on the quality of evidence and possible motivations of the Neo-conservatives who provided the momentum and muscle behind America's venture into preemptive war. Among them are veteran CIA analysts and operatives, military officers, diplomats, politicians, arms inspectors, and U.S. and British government officials. The fig leaf of the possibility of an honest mistake on the matter of WMDs is stripped away; what is left is the stark and disturbing anatomy of deliberate deceit.
Due to costs for Hosting and bandwidth charges, This Video will only be available through 07/07/04
Direct Download
TERROR
WTNH: FBI expanding interviews to ward off potential attacks
(Washington-AP, July 5, 2004 4:05 PM) _ With an eye toward potential terrorist attacks this summer and fall, the FBI is expanding efforts to find al-Qaida operatives before they strike.
An F-B-I official says the intelligence-gathering campaign will include increased emphasis on community interviews.
The agency has conducted community interviews before -- for example, sending agents into Arab-American neighborhoods to seek information after the Nine Eleven attacks.
The official says only a few interviews have taken place so far, but they'll be conducted on a larger scale in coming weeks.
The interviews are being driven by data gathered from the agency's Threat Task Force, plus experts from the intelligence community and Department of Homeland Security.
(Washington-AP, July 5, 2004 4:05 PM) _ With an eye toward potential terrorist attacks this summer and fall, the FBI is expanding efforts to find al-Qaida operatives before they strike.
An F-B-I official says the intelligence-gathering campaign will include increased emphasis on community interviews.
The agency has conducted community interviews before -- for example, sending agents into Arab-American neighborhoods to seek information after the Nine Eleven attacks.
The official says only a few interviews have taken place so far, but they'll be conducted on a larger scale in coming weeks.
The interviews are being driven by data gathered from the agency's Threat Task Force, plus experts from the intelligence community and Department of Homeland Security.
TERROR
Pakistan Daily Times: Former CIA officer rejects conventional view of terrorism
WASHINGTON: A CIA officer who served in Pakistan during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan says the theory that terrorists are poor, angry and fanatically religious is a myth.
According to Marc Sageman, now a Pennsylvania professor and author of a new book on terrorism, of the 400 members of terrorist networks from North Africa, the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia that he studies, 75 percent came from upper or middle-class backgrounds and most also from “caring, intact” families. Sixty percent were college educated and 75 percent could be considered professional or semi-professional. Seventy percent were married and most had children. Only half came from a religious background, and a large group raised in North Africa or France grew up in entirely secular communities, which “refutes the notion of culture, often cited as a factor encouraging terrorism.
Mr Sageman said “terrorism is on the way up”, and although in 2001, two-thirds of the its leadership was killed, but this year, the leadership had reconstituted itself and is “willing to take far more risks than the old leadership was able to. These “new terrorists ... really cannot be targeted by bombs,” he warned. “This requires a different type of war - an idea-based solution ... we really haven’t engaged it yet.”
"CHECK IT"
WASHINGTON: A CIA officer who served in Pakistan during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan says the theory that terrorists are poor, angry and fanatically religious is a myth.
According to Marc Sageman, now a Pennsylvania professor and author of a new book on terrorism, of the 400 members of terrorist networks from North Africa, the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia that he studies, 75 percent came from upper or middle-class backgrounds and most also from “caring, intact” families. Sixty percent were college educated and 75 percent could be considered professional or semi-professional. Seventy percent were married and most had children. Only half came from a religious background, and a large group raised in North Africa or France grew up in entirely secular communities, which “refutes the notion of culture, often cited as a factor encouraging terrorism.
Mr Sageman said “terrorism is on the way up”, and although in 2001, two-thirds of the its leadership was killed, but this year, the leadership had reconstituted itself and is “willing to take far more risks than the old leadership was able to. These “new terrorists ... really cannot be targeted by bombs,” he warned. “This requires a different type of war - an idea-based solution ... we really haven’t engaged it yet.”
"CHECK IT"
US/ISRAEL VS. IRAN
Wahington Times: Commentary: Israel to bomb Iran?
Washington, DC, Jul. 2 (UPI) -- As the Bush Administration concludes it cannot risk Iranian retaliation against a fragile Iraq under U.S. occupation, Israel is dusting off contingency plans to take out Iran's nuclear installations.
On June 24, the key question was asked by Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Adviser to President George H.W. Bush (41): "Are we serious in our efforts to prevent (Iranian) nuclear proliferation, or will we watch the world descend into a maelstrom where weapons-grade nuclear material is plentiful, and unimaginable destructive capability is available to any country or group with a grudge against society?"
Dixieinternet: The Coming Preemptive Strike on Iran
A brief collation of excellent public sources of information, followed by quiet reading, prayer, and consultation has recently led me to several political conclusions I sincerely hope are wrong. Only time will tell.
The first of these is that the United States--and/or its surrogate presence in the Middle East, a Sharon-led Likudnik government in Israel–will engage in a preemptive military strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) regime in Iran and its budding nuclear facilities at Bushehr and Natanz. The only serious questions remaining are the timing of the strike, and whether or not an American-Israeli air assault on the facilities in question will be followed by a larger American military application of aerial and ground forces to enact the Neo-Conservative mantra of “regime change” in Tehran.
AP: Israel Minister Raises Concerns Over Iran
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told the White House on Friday that Iran was trying to develop longer-range missiles that could pose a threat to European nations.
Shalom took his concerns to Condoleezza Rice, the president's national security adviser, and then told reporters: "We cannot allow the Iranians to move forward in their efforts to develop nuclear weapons."
The Sun: Nader Warning of ‘Puppets of Israel’
WASHINGTON — Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader yesterday courted the Islamic vote by accusing Republicans and Democrats of ignoring the interests of Muslim Americans and describing the Congress and White House as “puppets of Israel.”
“I don’t think there is any prospect of the two parties differing in any significant way on the Middle East,” Mr. Nader told Muslim activists gathered on Capitol Hill at a hearing titled “The Muslim Vote in Election 2004.”
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be resolved if only the American government would listen to Israel’s peace movement, Mr. Nader said. Instead Israeli leaders regularly get their way in Washington, he claimed.
“The Israeli puppeteer travels to Washington and meets with the puppet in White House. He then goes down Pennsylvania Avenue and meets with the puppets in Congress,” said Mr. Nader.The Israeli leader then “brings back millions of dollars” in aid to Israel, he said.
“It is time for the United States government to stand up and think for itself,” he said.
Comment:
The United States cannot reasonably insist upon Iranian submission to IAEA inspection and potential dismantlement of militarily-related nuclear programs without insisting upon the application of the same standard to the government of Israel, its Dimona nuclear-weapons production plant, and its Institute of Biological Sciences and Research in Tel Aviv, among other operations and sites in that country that meet neither IAEA standards nor those of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPF). The notion that Tehran has no right or legitimate claim to Weapons of Mass Destruction while the regime of international war criminal Ariel Sharon does, is morally and politically unsustainable
Washington, DC, Jul. 2 (UPI) -- As the Bush Administration concludes it cannot risk Iranian retaliation against a fragile Iraq under U.S. occupation, Israel is dusting off contingency plans to take out Iran's nuclear installations.
On June 24, the key question was asked by Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Adviser to President George H.W. Bush (41): "Are we serious in our efforts to prevent (Iranian) nuclear proliferation, or will we watch the world descend into a maelstrom where weapons-grade nuclear material is plentiful, and unimaginable destructive capability is available to any country or group with a grudge against society?"
Dixieinternet: The Coming Preemptive Strike on Iran
A brief collation of excellent public sources of information, followed by quiet reading, prayer, and consultation has recently led me to several political conclusions I sincerely hope are wrong. Only time will tell.
The first of these is that the United States--and/or its surrogate presence in the Middle East, a Sharon-led Likudnik government in Israel–will engage in a preemptive military strike against the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) regime in Iran and its budding nuclear facilities at Bushehr and Natanz. The only serious questions remaining are the timing of the strike, and whether or not an American-Israeli air assault on the facilities in question will be followed by a larger American military application of aerial and ground forces to enact the Neo-Conservative mantra of “regime change” in Tehran.
AP: Israel Minister Raises Concerns Over Iran
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told the White House on Friday that Iran was trying to develop longer-range missiles that could pose a threat to European nations.
Shalom took his concerns to Condoleezza Rice, the president's national security adviser, and then told reporters: "We cannot allow the Iranians to move forward in their efforts to develop nuclear weapons."
The Sun: Nader Warning of ‘Puppets of Israel’
WASHINGTON — Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader yesterday courted the Islamic vote by accusing Republicans and Democrats of ignoring the interests of Muslim Americans and describing the Congress and White House as “puppets of Israel.”
“I don’t think there is any prospect of the two parties differing in any significant way on the Middle East,” Mr. Nader told Muslim activists gathered on Capitol Hill at a hearing titled “The Muslim Vote in Election 2004.”
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be resolved if only the American government would listen to Israel’s peace movement, Mr. Nader said. Instead Israeli leaders regularly get their way in Washington, he claimed.
“The Israeli puppeteer travels to Washington and meets with the puppet in White House. He then goes down Pennsylvania Avenue and meets with the puppets in Congress,” said Mr. Nader.The Israeli leader then “brings back millions of dollars” in aid to Israel, he said.
“It is time for the United States government to stand up and think for itself,” he said.
Comment:
The United States cannot reasonably insist upon Iranian submission to IAEA inspection and potential dismantlement of militarily-related nuclear programs without insisting upon the application of the same standard to the government of Israel, its Dimona nuclear-weapons production plant, and its Institute of Biological Sciences and Research in Tel Aviv, among other operations and sites in that country that meet neither IAEA standards nor those of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPF). The notion that Tehran has no right or legitimate claim to Weapons of Mass Destruction while the regime of international war criminal Ariel Sharon does, is morally and politically unsustainable
Monday, July 05, 2004
NEW IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
Independent: US military tried to censor coverage of Saddam hearing By Robert Fisk in Baghdad
A team of US military officers acted as censors over all coverage of the hearings of Saddam Hussein and his henchmen on Thursday, destroying videotape of Saddam in chains and deleting the entire recorded legal submissions of 11 senior members of his former regime.
A US network cameraman who demanded the return of his tapes, which contained audios of the hearings, said he was told by a US officer: "No. They belong to us now. And anyway, we don't trust you guys."
According to American journalists present at the 30-minute hearing of Saddam and 11 former ministers at Baghdad airport, an American admiral in civilian clothes told camera crews that the judge had demanded that there should be no sound recording of the initial hearing. He ordered crews to unplug their sound wires. Several of the six crews present pretended to obey the instruction. "We learnt later," one of them said, "that the judge didn't order us to turn off our sound. The Americans lied--it was they who wanted no sound. The judge wanted sound and pictures."
A team of US military officers acted as censors over all coverage of the hearings of Saddam Hussein and his henchmen on Thursday, destroying videotape of Saddam in chains and deleting the entire recorded legal submissions of 11 senior members of his former regime.
A US network cameraman who demanded the return of his tapes, which contained audios of the hearings, said he was told by a US officer: "No. They belong to us now. And anyway, we don't trust you guys."
According to American journalists present at the 30-minute hearing of Saddam and 11 former ministers at Baghdad airport, an American admiral in civilian clothes told camera crews that the judge had demanded that there should be no sound recording of the initial hearing. He ordered crews to unplug their sound wires. Several of the six crews present pretended to obey the instruction. "We learnt later," one of them said, "that the judge didn't order us to turn off our sound. The Americans lied--it was they who wanted no sound. The judge wanted sound and pictures."
NEW IRAQ: ROBERT FISK
The Independent: So this is what they call the new, 'free' Iraq by Robert Fisk
In his last hours as US proconsul in Baghdad, Paul Bremer decided to tighten up some of the laws that his occupation authority had placed across the land of Iraq.
He drafted a new piece of legislation forbidding Iraqi motorists to drive with only one hand on the wheel. Another document solemnly announced that it would henceforth be a crime for Iraqis to sound their car horns except in an emergency. That same day, three American soldiers were torn apart by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad, one of more than 60 attacks on US forces over the weekend. And all the while, Mr Bremer was worrying about the standards of Iraqi driving.
It would be difficult to find a more preposterous - and chilling - symbol of Mr Bremer's failures, his hopeless inability to understand the nature of the débâcle that he and his hopeless occupation authority have brought about. It's not that the old "Coalition Provisional Authority" - now transmogrified into the 3,000-strong US embassy - was out of touch. It didn't even live on Planet Earth. Mr Bremer's last starring moment came when he departed Baghdad on a US military aircraft, with two US-paid mercenaries - rifles pointed menacingly at camera crews and walking backwards - protecting him until the cabin door closed. And Mr Bremer, remember, was appointed to his job because he was an "anti-terrorist" expert.
And Mr Bremer managed to institute a set of laws that the "new" and "sovereign" government is not permitted to change.
One of the most insidious was the re-introduction of Saddam's 1984 law banning all strikes. This piece of folly was intended to muzzle the so-called Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions. Yet the trade unions are among the few secular groups in Iraq opposing religious orthodoxy and fundamentalism. A strong trade union movement could provide a vital base of political and democratic power in a new Iraq. But no, Mr Bremer preferred to protect big business.
"CHECK IT"
In his last hours as US proconsul in Baghdad, Paul Bremer decided to tighten up some of the laws that his occupation authority had placed across the land of Iraq.
He drafted a new piece of legislation forbidding Iraqi motorists to drive with only one hand on the wheel. Another document solemnly announced that it would henceforth be a crime for Iraqis to sound their car horns except in an emergency. That same day, three American soldiers were torn apart by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad, one of more than 60 attacks on US forces over the weekend. And all the while, Mr Bremer was worrying about the standards of Iraqi driving.
It would be difficult to find a more preposterous - and chilling - symbol of Mr Bremer's failures, his hopeless inability to understand the nature of the débâcle that he and his hopeless occupation authority have brought about. It's not that the old "Coalition Provisional Authority" - now transmogrified into the 3,000-strong US embassy - was out of touch. It didn't even live on Planet Earth. Mr Bremer's last starring moment came when he departed Baghdad on a US military aircraft, with two US-paid mercenaries - rifles pointed menacingly at camera crews and walking backwards - protecting him until the cabin door closed. And Mr Bremer, remember, was appointed to his job because he was an "anti-terrorist" expert.
And Mr Bremer managed to institute a set of laws that the "new" and "sovereign" government is not permitted to change.
One of the most insidious was the re-introduction of Saddam's 1984 law banning all strikes. This piece of folly was intended to muzzle the so-called Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions. Yet the trade unions are among the few secular groups in Iraq opposing religious orthodoxy and fundamentalism. A strong trade union movement could provide a vital base of political and democratic power in a new Iraq. But no, Mr Bremer preferred to protect big business.
"CHECK IT"
USA
Worldnetdaily: Congressman suggests Bush hiding Osama
'They are trying to decide what day they should bring him out'
In a speech to business leaders in India, Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., gave credence to a rumor that the U.S. has captured Osama bin Laden and for political reasons is waiting for the right moment to reveal it, according to the Indo-Asian News Service.
Reps. Mike Thompson and Jim McDermott in CNN interview from Baghdad in 2002.
"There are already rumours circulating that Osama bin Laden is being held somewhere already and it's only that they are trying to decide what day they should bring him out," McDermott told Confederation of Indian Industry representatives at a luncheon in New Delhi on Thursday.
The remarks came as McDermott told his audience that the loss of jobs during the Bush administration and the Iraq war will cause Americans to pick a new president in the fall.
'They are trying to decide what day they should bring him out'
In a speech to business leaders in India, Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., gave credence to a rumor that the U.S. has captured Osama bin Laden and for political reasons is waiting for the right moment to reveal it, according to the Indo-Asian News Service.
Reps. Mike Thompson and Jim McDermott in CNN interview from Baghdad in 2002.
"There are already rumours circulating that Osama bin Laden is being held somewhere already and it's only that they are trying to decide what day they should bring him out," McDermott told Confederation of Indian Industry representatives at a luncheon in New Delhi on Thursday.
The remarks came as McDermott told his audience that the loss of jobs during the Bush administration and the Iraq war will cause Americans to pick a new president in the fall.
NEW IRAQ
Washington Post: U.S. Funds for Iraq Are Largely Unspent
BAGHDAD, July 3 -- The U.S. government has spent 2 percent of an $18.4 billion aid package that Congress approved in October last year after the Bush administration called for a quick infusion of cash into Iraq to finance reconstruction, according to figures released Friday by the White House.
The U.S.-led occupation authorities were much quicker to channel Iraq's own money, expending or earmarking nearly all of $20 billion in a special development fund fed by the country's oil sales, a congressional investigator said.
BAGHDAD, July 3 -- The U.S. government has spent 2 percent of an $18.4 billion aid package that Congress approved in October last year after the Bush administration called for a quick infusion of cash into Iraq to finance reconstruction, according to figures released Friday by the White House.
The U.S.-led occupation authorities were much quicker to channel Iraq's own money, expending or earmarking nearly all of $20 billion in a special development fund fed by the country's oil sales, a congressional investigator said.
FRANCE: MAD COW
Telegraph: 300,000 Mad Cow Cases Undetected In France
PARIS -- A mad cow disease epidemic in France went completely undetected and led to almost 50,000 severely infected animals entering the food chain, according to a shocking report by French government researchers.
More than 300,000 cows contracted BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in the past 13 years, 300 times more than the number of officially recorded cases, say researchers at France's official Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm).
PARIS -- A mad cow disease epidemic in France went completely undetected and led to almost 50,000 severely infected animals entering the food chain, according to a shocking report by French government researchers.
More than 300,000 cows contracted BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in the past 13 years, 300 times more than the number of officially recorded cases, say researchers at France's official Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm).
Friday, July 02, 2004
BUSH OR KERRY: IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE
Haaretz: Kerry position paper outlines support for Israel
WASHINGTON - In a position paper outlining his stance on Israel, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry promises not to negotiate with Yasser Arafat and expresses support for Israel's right to defend itself by attacking terrorist organizations
The paper, entitled "John Kerry: Strengthening Israel's Security and Bolstering the U.S.-Israel Special Relationship," was sent in mid-June to a group of people in the Jewish community as part of the Kerry attempt to maintain contact with Jewish supporters in the United States and to clarify his positions on Israel.
Kerry, who previously spoke against the separation fence at a gathering of the Arab-American Institute, is now seeking to correct that impression: "The security fence is a legitimate act of self-defense erected in response to the wave of terror attacks against Israeli citizens."
WASHINGTON - In a position paper outlining his stance on Israel, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry promises not to negotiate with Yasser Arafat and expresses support for Israel's right to defend itself by attacking terrorist organizations
The paper, entitled "John Kerry: Strengthening Israel's Security and Bolstering the U.S.-Israel Special Relationship," was sent in mid-June to a group of people in the Jewish community as part of the Kerry attempt to maintain contact with Jewish supporters in the United States and to clarify his positions on Israel.
Kerry, who previously spoke against the separation fence at a gathering of the Arab-American Institute, is now seeking to correct that impression: "The security fence is a legitimate act of self-defense erected in response to the wave of terror attacks against Israeli citizens."
PROPAGANDA WATCH: IRAK, HALABJA 1988
VIDEO Part 1: CIA Analysis: The Predicament Mr. Bush And The Pentagon Have Gotten US Into
CIA analyst Stephen Pelletiere (ret. prof at the Army War College) says that after Desert Storm, when Iraq refused to bow to US. pressure, holding out against American dominance, George W. Bush fabricated the present crisis so as to, once and for all, beat the Iraqis into submission - to control oil..."
Recorded. Jan. 29, 2003; part 1 of a 2 parts: 16 min
Video Part 2: Q & A With CIA Analyst Stephen Pelletiere
Retired Army War College prof. and CIA analyst (6 years) answers questions ranging from the gassing of the Kurds in Halabja [Iraq was not responsible, nor was it genocide by the Iranians], to Israel's push for war on Iraq; and the "chief enemy of the peace movement, the media."
(Note to webmasters: Please do not hot link to this video file. This Is a privately funded and reader supported
CIA analyst Stephen Pelletiere (ret. prof at the Army War College) says that after Desert Storm, when Iraq refused to bow to US. pressure, holding out against American dominance, George W. Bush fabricated the present crisis so as to, once and for all, beat the Iraqis into submission - to control oil..."
Recorded. Jan. 29, 2003; part 1 of a 2 parts: 16 min
Video Part 2: Q & A With CIA Analyst Stephen Pelletiere
Retired Army War College prof. and CIA analyst (6 years) answers questions ranging from the gassing of the Kurds in Halabja [Iraq was not responsible, nor was it genocide by the Iranians], to Israel's push for war on Iraq; and the "chief enemy of the peace movement, the media."
(Note to webmasters: Please do not hot link to this video file. This Is a privately funded and reader supported
PROPAGANDA WATCH: IRAK, HALABJA 1988
Toronto Star: Did Saddam Hussein Gas His Own People?
Reality Checks Needed During War
No doubt, Saddam has mistreated Kurds during his rule. But it's misleading to say, so simply and without context, that he killed his own people by gassing 5,000 Kurds at Halabja
Halabja (pop. 80,000) is a small Kurdish city in northern Iraq. On Wednesday, the Star reminded readers that Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army killed 5,000 Kurds in a 1988 chemical weapons attack on Halabja near the end of a bloody, eight-year war with Iran.
The statement that Saddam was responsible for gassing the Kurds — his own people — was straightforward.
Indeed, U.S. President George W. Bush has used similar language about the disaster at Halabja in making a case for a military strike to oust Saddam.
Yet the Star also reported, in a Jan. 31 Opinion page column, that there's reason to believe the story about Saddam "gassing his own people" at Halabja may not even be true
Let's fast-forward to Jan. 31 of this year, when The New York Times published an opinion piece by Stephen C. Pelletiere, the CIA's senior political analyst on Iraq during the 1980s.
In the article, Pelletiere said the only thing known for certain was that "Kurds were bombarded with poison gas that day at Halabja. We cannot say with any certainty that Iraqi chemical weapons killed the Kurds."
Pelletiere said the gassing occurred during a battle between Iraqis and Iranians.
The former CIA official revealed that immediately after the battle the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency investigated and produced a classified report that said it was Iranian gas that killed the Kurds.
Reality Checks Needed During War
No doubt, Saddam has mistreated Kurds during his rule. But it's misleading to say, so simply and without context, that he killed his own people by gassing 5,000 Kurds at Halabja
Halabja (pop. 80,000) is a small Kurdish city in northern Iraq. On Wednesday, the Star reminded readers that Saddam Hussein's Iraqi army killed 5,000 Kurds in a 1988 chemical weapons attack on Halabja near the end of a bloody, eight-year war with Iran.
The statement that Saddam was responsible for gassing the Kurds — his own people — was straightforward.
Indeed, U.S. President George W. Bush has used similar language about the disaster at Halabja in making a case for a military strike to oust Saddam.
Yet the Star also reported, in a Jan. 31 Opinion page column, that there's reason to believe the story about Saddam "gassing his own people" at Halabja may not even be true
Let's fast-forward to Jan. 31 of this year, when The New York Times published an opinion piece by Stephen C. Pelletiere, the CIA's senior political analyst on Iraq during the 1980s.
In the article, Pelletiere said the only thing known for certain was that "Kurds were bombarded with poison gas that day at Halabja. We cannot say with any certainty that Iraqi chemical weapons killed the Kurds."
Pelletiere said the gassing occurred during a battle between Iraqis and Iranians.
The former CIA official revealed that immediately after the battle the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency investigated and produced a classified report that said it was Iranian gas that killed the Kurds.
NEW LAYOUT
The Blog is undergoing some changes in the design.
I try to make it a bit more readable. There may be some more changes
in the coming days
I try to make it a bit more readable. There may be some more changes
in the coming days
"FREE" IRAQ
Guardian: US will override Baghdad in war on terrorism
Military strikes may continue, warns general
American commanders will risk launching high-profile military actions at targets in Iraq even if they go directly against the wishes of the new Iraqi government, a senior US general said yesterday.
Lieutenant General Thomas Metz, the second most senior American officer in Iraq and the force's tactical operations commander, said the US military was prepared to risk provoking "friction" with the new government in strikes against "professional terrorists".
Guardian: US will override Baghdad in war on terrorism
Military strikes may continue, warns general
American commanders will risk launching high-profile military actions at targets in Iraq even if they go directly against the wishes of the new Iraqi government, a senior US general said yesterday.
Lieutenant General Thomas Metz, the second most senior American officer in Iraq and the force's tactical operations commander, said the US military was prepared to risk provoking "friction" with the new government in strikes against "professional terrorists".
VIDEO: MIDDLE EAST NEWS
Mosic TV: Mosaic: World News Reports From Middle East TV For 06/30/04
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
Mosic TV: Mosaic: World News Reports From Middle East TV For 06/30/04
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
IRAQ: SADDAM TRIAL
The Independent: No mention of power cuts and violence at trial of the century by Robert Fisk
Now it is time for bread and circuses. Keep the people distracted. Show them Saddam. Remind them what it used to be like. Make them grateful. Make Saddam pay. Show his face once more across the world so that his victims will think about the past, not the present. Charge him. Before the full majesty of Iraq's new "democratic" law. And may George Bush win the next American election.
That's pretty much how it looked from Baghdad yesterday. Forget the 12-hour power cuts and the violence and the kidnappings and the insurgency. Let's go back again to the gruesome days of Baathist rule, let's revisit once more the theatre of cruelty - back to all those war crimes and crimes against humanity with which the Monster will be charged. Let's take another look at Tariq Aziz and "Chemical" Ali and the rest. Isn't this why we came to Iraq - to rescue the Iraqis from the Beast of Baghdad?
"CHECK IT"
The Independent: No mention of power cuts and violence at trial of the century by Robert Fisk
Now it is time for bread and circuses. Keep the people distracted. Show them Saddam. Remind them what it used to be like. Make them grateful. Make Saddam pay. Show his face once more across the world so that his victims will think about the past, not the present. Charge him. Before the full majesty of Iraq's new "democratic" law. And may George Bush win the next American election.
That's pretty much how it looked from Baghdad yesterday. Forget the 12-hour power cuts and the violence and the kidnappings and the insurgency. Let's go back again to the gruesome days of Baathist rule, let's revisit once more the theatre of cruelty - back to all those war crimes and crimes against humanity with which the Monster will be charged. Let's take another look at Tariq Aziz and "Chemical" Ali and the rest. Isn't this why we came to Iraq - to rescue the Iraqis from the Beast of Baghdad?
"CHECK IT"
IRAQ: SADDAM TRIAL
Guardian: A show trial
The trial of Saddam is a distraction tactic that will do nothing to stop the growing Iraqi resistance, argues George Galloway
Today is the start of a show trial. It's intended to deflect attention from the absolute failure of the occupation to either get the electricity and water back on, still less to subdue the Iraqi resistance - which is giving them a bloody good hiding all over the country. I think it will fail in that regard, just as the capture of Saddam Hussein last December failed.
The dog that did not bark is the Iraqi invasion of Iran, with which - lo and behold - Saddam is not to be charged. Why? Because he invaded Iran at the behest of the US and Britain. He fought the Iranian army and attacked the Iranian cities - and the civilians within them - with weapons given to him by Britain and America and with maps supplied personally by Donald Rumsfeld. The trial could scarcely cover the invasion of a foreign country by Iraq in which a million people died when we would have to be indicted as co-conspirators.
Guardian: A show trial
The trial of Saddam is a distraction tactic that will do nothing to stop the growing Iraqi resistance, argues George Galloway
Today is the start of a show trial. It's intended to deflect attention from the absolute failure of the occupation to either get the electricity and water back on, still less to subdue the Iraqi resistance - which is giving them a bloody good hiding all over the country. I think it will fail in that regard, just as the capture of Saddam Hussein last December failed.
The dog that did not bark is the Iraqi invasion of Iran, with which - lo and behold - Saddam is not to be charged. Why? Because he invaded Iran at the behest of the US and Britain. He fought the Iranian army and attacked the Iranian cities - and the civilians within them - with weapons given to him by Britain and America and with maps supplied personally by Donald Rumsfeld. The trial could scarcely cover the invasion of a foreign country by Iraq in which a million people died when we would have to be indicted as co-conspirators.
IRAQ WAR: PROPAGANDA WATCH
Columbia Journalism Review: How Chalabi Played the Press
Judith Miller is on it, but she’s hardly alone. Ahmad Chalabi’s defectors told stories to a lot of reporters who now wish they’d kept their distance
Columbia Journalism Review: How Chalabi Played the Press
Judith Miller is on it, but she’s hardly alone. Ahmad Chalabi’s defectors told stories to a lot of reporters who now wish they’d kept their distance
NEW IRAQ: SADDAM
The Australian: It's illegal: top defence lawyer
THE group of Arab and foreign lawyers engaged to defend Saddam Hussein has ignited a furious debate over the legality of the special Iraqi tribunal, and claims the process will inevitably lead to the former dictator's conviction and execution.
Even before Saddam and 11 former Iraqi officials appeared in court last night to face war crimes charges, Mohammad Rashdan, lead lawyer in the 20-strong defence team, condemned the tribunal as "illegal and unjust".
The Jordanian lawyer's team, which includes US academic Curtis Doebbler, French barrister Emmanuel Ludot, Swiss lawyer Marc Henzelin, and leading British lawyer Giovanni Di Stefano, has been hired by Sajida Khairallah, Saddam's first wife, and their three daughters, to defend the former president
The Australian: It's illegal: top defence lawyer
THE group of Arab and foreign lawyers engaged to defend Saddam Hussein has ignited a furious debate over the legality of the special Iraqi tribunal, and claims the process will inevitably lead to the former dictator's conviction and execution.
Even before Saddam and 11 former Iraqi officials appeared in court last night to face war crimes charges, Mohammad Rashdan, lead lawyer in the 20-strong defence team, condemned the tribunal as "illegal and unjust".
The Jordanian lawyer's team, which includes US academic Curtis Doebbler, French barrister Emmanuel Ludot, Swiss lawyer Marc Henzelin, and leading British lawyer Giovanni Di Stefano, has been hired by Sajida Khairallah, Saddam's first wife, and their three daughters, to defend the former president
NEW IRAQ: SADDAM
Freerepublic: Defiant Saddam Rejects War Crimes Charges
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A defiant Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) rejected charges of war crimes and genocide against him in a court appearance Thursday, telling a judge "this is all theater, the real criminal is Bush," according to a reporter in an official media pool.
Saddam's hands were cuffed when he was brought to the court but the shackles were removed for the 30-minute arraignment at Camp Victory, a former Saddam palace on the outskirts of Baghdad.
"I am Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq," Saddam twice said, according to the CNN reporter, who described him as alternately downcast and defiant. Other times, he appeared confused
Freerepublic: Defiant Saddam Rejects War Crimes Charges
BAGHDAD, Iraq - A defiant Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) rejected charges of war crimes and genocide against him in a court appearance Thursday, telling a judge "this is all theater, the real criminal is Bush," according to a reporter in an official media pool.
Saddam's hands were cuffed when he was brought to the court but the shackles were removed for the 30-minute arraignment at Camp Victory, a former Saddam palace on the outskirts of Baghdad.
"I am Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq," Saddam twice said, according to the CNN reporter, who described him as alternately downcast and defiant. Other times, he appeared confused
Thursday, July 01, 2004
NEW IRAQ
Truth Out: Embracing Saddam-Lite
Poor Mr. Bush. Like bad sex, his hurried consummation of Iraq's mini-sovereignty left everything to be desired. Only a handful of people celebrated the occasion, while his Baghdad stand-in Jerry Bremer could hardly wait to jet away from the chaos he had conjured.
No wonder the ex-Viceroy ran. Over 150,000 American soldiers and mercenaries remain, with talk in Washington of many more to come. Halliburton, Bechtel, and other GOP corporate donors rapidly construct American military bases throughout Iraq, slowly rebuild the country's utilities, and effectively run both the oil fields and local media. Hand-picked Iraqis only front the show, their power tightly curbed by decrees, contracts, and secret understandings that Bremer put in place before he fled. Sovereignty is bliss, Sweetheart, but is that all there is?
How clever Washington was, the official spin-masters tell us. By holding the formal transition two days early, Team Bush wrong-footed an expected terrorist attack, Perhaps they did. But only willing fools - like ABC's Peter Jennings, who graced the event - played along with the overweening pretense. Iraqis who still oppose the suddenly "non-occupying" American troops will easily find their targets, chief among them Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and other interim leaders, who appear to many as collaborators selling out their country to the Yanks.
Truth Out: Embracing Saddam-Lite
Poor Mr. Bush. Like bad sex, his hurried consummation of Iraq's mini-sovereignty left everything to be desired. Only a handful of people celebrated the occasion, while his Baghdad stand-in Jerry Bremer could hardly wait to jet away from the chaos he had conjured.
No wonder the ex-Viceroy ran. Over 150,000 American soldiers and mercenaries remain, with talk in Washington of many more to come. Halliburton, Bechtel, and other GOP corporate donors rapidly construct American military bases throughout Iraq, slowly rebuild the country's utilities, and effectively run both the oil fields and local media. Hand-picked Iraqis only front the show, their power tightly curbed by decrees, contracts, and secret understandings that Bremer put in place before he fled. Sovereignty is bliss, Sweetheart, but is that all there is?
How clever Washington was, the official spin-masters tell us. By holding the formal transition two days early, Team Bush wrong-footed an expected terrorist attack, Perhaps they did. But only willing fools - like ABC's Peter Jennings, who graced the event - played along with the overweening pretense. Iraqis who still oppose the suddenly "non-occupying" American troops will easily find their targets, chief among them Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and other interim leaders, who appear to many as collaborators selling out their country to the Yanks.
NEW IRAQ
MSNBC: Dictator-in-Waiting?
Iraq’s new prime minister will do whatever needs doing to impose order on the current chaos. Let’s not pretend he’s a nascent democrat
MSNBC: Dictator-in-Waiting?
Iraq’s new prime minister will do whatever needs doing to impose order on the current chaos. Let’s not pretend he’s a nascent democrat
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
USA: PROPAGANDA WATCH
Washington Post: FRANK TALK
A leaked memo by Republican advisor Frank Luntz advises GOP
politicians to avoid the words "preemption" and "war in Iraq" when
talking about the Bush administration's pre-emptive war in Iraq.
"To do so is to undermine your message from the start," he advises.
"Your efforts are about 'the principles of prevention and
protection' in the greater 'War on Terror.'" Luntz also recommends
that "No speech about homeland security or Iraq should begin
without a reference to 9/11."
Washington Post: FRANK TALK
A leaked memo by Republican advisor Frank Luntz advises GOP
politicians to avoid the words "preemption" and "war in Iraq" when
talking about the Bush administration's pre-emptive war in Iraq.
"To do so is to undermine your message from the start," he advises.
"Your efforts are about 'the principles of prevention and
protection' in the greater 'War on Terror.'" Luntz also recommends
that "No speech about homeland security or Iraq should begin
without a reference to 9/11."
PR WATCH
New York Times: More Demand for Guerilla Marketing
LOOK at this as an art form," said Helen Wallace MacDonald, an energetic "field agent" in a guerrilla marketing street team, as she searched a Manhattan subway station for places to affix static-cling stickers that promote Le Tigre apparel. "I'm serious," she said.
Soon Ms. MacDonald, 25, found an outlet, smoothing the Tigre logo - a sprinting tiger - over part of an ad for a temporary Target store in Bridgehampton, N.Y.
The stickers are easily removed, but Le Tigre is banking on this guerrilla campaign to leave a mark on the minds of young, trend-conscious consumers.
In doing so, Le Tigre joins the front line of guerrilla marketing, a broad range of advertising methods that strives to strike when people least expect it. Though publicity stunts have been turning heads forever, mainstream marketers are increasingly turning to guerrilla tactics as consumers prove more difficult to reach with traditional advertising
New York Times: More Demand for Guerilla Marketing
LOOK at this as an art form," said Helen Wallace MacDonald, an energetic "field agent" in a guerrilla marketing street team, as she searched a Manhattan subway station for places to affix static-cling stickers that promote Le Tigre apparel. "I'm serious," she said.
Soon Ms. MacDonald, 25, found an outlet, smoothing the Tigre logo - a sprinting tiger - over part of an ad for a temporary Target store in Bridgehampton, N.Y.
The stickers are easily removed, but Le Tigre is banking on this guerrilla campaign to leave a mark on the minds of young, trend-conscious consumers.
In doing so, Le Tigre joins the front line of guerrilla marketing, a broad range of advertising methods that strives to strike when people least expect it. Though publicity stunts have been turning heads forever, mainstream marketers are increasingly turning to guerrilla tactics as consumers prove more difficult to reach with traditional advertising
MICROSOFT: PROPAGANDA WATCH
Deltoid: When Think Tanks Attack
Australian blogger Tim Lambert has taken a closer look at some of
the think tanks that have emerged as critics of open source
software, which threatens Microsoft's position in the marketplace.
"Why are all these think tanks so down on Open Source?" Lambert
asks. "Well, the Small Business Survival Committee is concerned
that using open source will expose small business to the risk of
lawsuits. Citizens Against Government Waste is concerned that the
Government might waste money on Open Source. Defenders of Property
Rights is concerned that Open Source might be a threat to
intellectual property rights. However, I was able to detect a
common theme to all their criticism. They all seem to be funded by
Microsoft." Lambert also notes that many of them, such as the
Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, have participated in previous
campaigns to deny the dangers of tobacco and global warming, while
receiving funding from the tobacco and fossil fuel industries.
Deltoid: When Think Tanks Attack
Australian blogger Tim Lambert has taken a closer look at some of
the think tanks that have emerged as critics of open source
software, which threatens Microsoft's position in the marketplace.
"Why are all these think tanks so down on Open Source?" Lambert
asks. "Well, the Small Business Survival Committee is concerned
that using open source will expose small business to the risk of
lawsuits. Citizens Against Government Waste is concerned that the
Government might waste money on Open Source. Defenders of Property
Rights is concerned that Open Source might be a threat to
intellectual property rights. However, I was able to detect a
common theme to all their criticism. They all seem to be funded by
Microsoft." Lambert also notes that many of them, such as the
Alexis de Tocqueville Institution, have participated in previous
campaigns to deny the dangers of tobacco and global warming, while
receiving funding from the tobacco and fossil fuel industries.
PROPAGANDA WATCH
Antiwar: The 'Prop-Agenda' at War
In their widely quoted book Weapons of Mass Deception, Sheldon
Rampton and John Stauber argued in 2003 that the U.S. government
used the shock of the 9/11 attacks to justify an invasion of Iraq.
Bush counter-terrorism coordinator Richard Clarke further denounces
President George Bush for using the attacks as a pretext for the
war in his book Against All Enemies published last March. For
propaganda expert Nancy Snow ... 'if war is the paint, then
propaganda is the paint primer that makes possible the total
devotion of the public to the just cause of the state in wartime.'
When on April 9, 2003 the statue of Saddam was finally brought down
in Baghdad's Firdos Square, U.S. media commentators rushed to assign
iconic connotations to the toppling, ranking it alongside the fall of
the Berlin Wall or the protesters opposing tanks at Tiananmen Square.
"Jubilant Iraqis Swarm the Streets of Capital," Rampton and Stauber quoted
The New York Times as saying. The main papers and television channels in
the U.S. showed the same scene and proffered similar comments.
But a BBC photo sequence of the statue's fall displayed a sparse crowd of
approximately 200 people, they observe; a Reuters long-shot photo of
Firdos Square showed that it was nearly empty, sealed off by U.S. tanks.
Antiwar: The 'Prop-Agenda' at War
In their widely quoted book Weapons of Mass Deception, Sheldon
Rampton and John Stauber argued in 2003 that the U.S. government
used the shock of the 9/11 attacks to justify an invasion of Iraq.
Bush counter-terrorism coordinator Richard Clarke further denounces
President George Bush for using the attacks as a pretext for the
war in his book Against All Enemies published last March. For
propaganda expert Nancy Snow ... 'if war is the paint, then
propaganda is the paint primer that makes possible the total
devotion of the public to the just cause of the state in wartime.'
When on April 9, 2003 the statue of Saddam was finally brought down
in Baghdad's Firdos Square, U.S. media commentators rushed to assign
iconic connotations to the toppling, ranking it alongside the fall of
the Berlin Wall or the protesters opposing tanks at Tiananmen Square.
"Jubilant Iraqis Swarm the Streets of Capital," Rampton and Stauber quoted
The New York Times as saying. The main papers and television channels in
the U.S. showed the same scene and proffered similar comments.
But a BBC photo sequence of the statue's fall displayed a sparse crowd of
approximately 200 people, they observe; a Reuters long-shot photo of
Firdos Square showed that it was nearly empty, sealed off by U.S. tanks.
USA: MEDIA WATCH
Washington Post: THE ENEMY PRESS
After New York Times reporter Eric Lichtblau wrote a story
reporting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had collected
extensive information on antiwar demonstrators, FBI spokeswoman
Cassandra Chandler sent around a memo urging agency officials to
"please avoid providing information to this reporter," and the
Justice Department revoked his press credentials.
Washington Post: THE ENEMY PRESS
After New York Times reporter Eric Lichtblau wrote a story
reporting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had collected
extensive information on antiwar demonstrators, FBI spokeswoman
Cassandra Chandler sent around a memo urging agency officials to
"please avoid providing information to this reporter," and the
Justice Department revoked his press credentials.
PROPAGANDA WATCH: IRAQ HANDOVER
Juan Cole: POWER PLAY
The "handover of power" to Iraq is "a publicity stunt and has
almost no substance to it," says Middle East history professor Juan
Cole. "Gwen Ifill said on US television on Sunday that she had
talked to Condaleeza Rice, and that her hope was that when
something went wrong in Iraq, the journalists would now grill
Allawi about it rather than the Bush administration. (Or words to
that effect.) Ifill seems to me to have given away the whole Bush
show. That's what this whole thing is about. It is Public Relations
and manipulation of journalists. Let's see if they fall for it."
Juan Cole: POWER PLAY
The "handover of power" to Iraq is "a publicity stunt and has
almost no substance to it," says Middle East history professor Juan
Cole. "Gwen Ifill said on US television on Sunday that she had
talked to Condaleeza Rice, and that her hope was that when
something went wrong in Iraq, the journalists would now grill
Allawi about it rather than the Bush administration. (Or words to
that effect.) Ifill seems to me to have given away the whole Bush
show. That's what this whole thing is about. It is Public Relations
and manipulation of journalists. Let's see if they fall for it."
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
NEW "DEMOCRATIC" IRAQ
NEW YORK TIMES: Who Lost Iraq? By PAUL KRUGMAN
The formal occupation of Iraq came to an ignominious end yesterday with a furtive ceremony, held two days early to foil insurgent attacks, and a swift airborne exit for the chief administrator. In reality, the occupation will continue under another name, most likely until a hostile Iraqi populace demands that we leave. But it's already worth asking why things went so wrong.
The Iraq venture may have been doomed from the start — but we'll never know for sure because the Bush administration made such a mess of the occupation. Future historians will view it as a case study of how not to run a country.
Up to a point, the numbers in the Brookings Institution's invaluable Iraq Index tell the tale. Figures on the electricity supply and oil production show a pattern of fitful recovery and frequent reversals; figures on insurgent attacks and civilian casualties show a security situation that got progressively worse, not better; public opinion polls show an occupation that squandered the initial good will.
NEW YORK TIMES: Who Lost Iraq? By PAUL KRUGMAN
The formal occupation of Iraq came to an ignominious end yesterday with a furtive ceremony, held two days early to foil insurgent attacks, and a swift airborne exit for the chief administrator. In reality, the occupation will continue under another name, most likely until a hostile Iraqi populace demands that we leave. But it's already worth asking why things went so wrong.
The Iraq venture may have been doomed from the start — but we'll never know for sure because the Bush administration made such a mess of the occupation. Future historians will view it as a case study of how not to run a country.
Up to a point, the numbers in the Brookings Institution's invaluable Iraq Index tell the tale. Figures on the electricity supply and oil production show a pattern of fitful recovery and frequent reversals; figures on insurgent attacks and civilian casualties show a security situation that got progressively worse, not better; public opinion polls show an occupation that squandered the initial good will.
VIDEO: MIDDLE EAST NEWS
Mosaic TV: World News Reports From Middle East TV For 06/28/04:
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
Mosaic TV: World News Reports From Middle East TV For 06/28/04:
The nation's only uncensored compilation of daily television news reports from more than 15 countries in the Middle East. QuickTime Video.
NEW "DEMOCRATIC" IRAQ
Guardian: Iraqis have lived this lie before
The British transfer of sovereignty in the 20s was equally meaningless
In Iraq, we have an expression: same donkey, different saddle. Iraq's long-heralded interim government has now formally assumed sovereignty. Official labels and tags have duly changed. The US administrator will now be an ambassador, while Sheikh Ghazi al Yawar and Iyad Allawi, US-appointed members of the former governing council, are to be known as president and prime minister.
To formalise the change, the UN has already issued a resolution under which "multinational forces" will replace "US-led forces". On the issue of control over US troops, the message is clear: the US forces are there to stay only because "Iraqi people" has asked them to. But which Iraqi people? Do they mean the new administration headed by the CIA's Iyad Allawi? And why does all this sound strangely familiar?
Guardian: Iraqis have lived this lie before
The British transfer of sovereignty in the 20s was equally meaningless
In Iraq, we have an expression: same donkey, different saddle. Iraq's long-heralded interim government has now formally assumed sovereignty. Official labels and tags have duly changed. The US administrator will now be an ambassador, while Sheikh Ghazi al Yawar and Iyad Allawi, US-appointed members of the former governing council, are to be known as president and prime minister.
To formalise the change, the UN has already issued a resolution under which "multinational forces" will replace "US-led forces". On the issue of control over US troops, the message is clear: the US forces are there to stay only because "Iraqi people" has asked them to. But which Iraqi people? Do they mean the new administration headed by the CIA's Iyad Allawi? And why does all this sound strangely familiar?
NEW "DEMOCRATIC" IRAQ
The Star: A pitiful occasion for the people by Robert Fisk
Beirut - So, in the end, America's enemies set the date.
The handover of "full sovereignty" was secretly brought forward so that the ex-CIA intelligence officer who is now premier of Iraq could avoid another bloody offensive by America's enemies.
What was supposed to be the most important date in Iraq's modern history was changed - like a birthday party, because it might rain on Wednesday.
Pitiful is the word that comes to mind.
Here we were, handing "full sovereignty" to the people of Iraq - "full", of course, providing we forget the 160 000 foreign soldiers whom Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has apparently asked to stay on in Iraq, "full" providing we forget the 3 000 US diplomats in Baghdad who will constitute the largest US embassy in the world.
And we never even told the Iraqi people we had changed the date.
Few, save of course for the Iraqis, understood the cruellest paradox of the event.
For it was the new Iraqi Foreign Minister - should we not put his title, too, into quotation marks? - who chose to leak "bringing forward" of "sovereignty in Iraq" at the Nato summit in Turkey.
CHECK IT
The Star: A pitiful occasion for the people by Robert Fisk
Beirut - So, in the end, America's enemies set the date.
The handover of "full sovereignty" was secretly brought forward so that the ex-CIA intelligence officer who is now premier of Iraq could avoid another bloody offensive by America's enemies.
What was supposed to be the most important date in Iraq's modern history was changed - like a birthday party, because it might rain on Wednesday.
Pitiful is the word that comes to mind.
Here we were, handing "full sovereignty" to the people of Iraq - "full", of course, providing we forget the 160 000 foreign soldiers whom Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has apparently asked to stay on in Iraq, "full" providing we forget the 3 000 US diplomats in Baghdad who will constitute the largest US embassy in the world.
And we never even told the Iraqi people we had changed the date.
Few, save of course for the Iraqis, understood the cruellest paradox of the event.
For it was the new Iraqi Foreign Minister - should we not put his title, too, into quotation marks? - who chose to leak "bringing forward" of "sovereignty in Iraq" at the Nato summit in Turkey.
CHECK IT
NEW DEMOCRATIC IRAQ
Newsasia: Nine killed on first day of Iraq government, Turkish hostages freed
Three US soldiers and six Iraqis were killed in violence on the first day of business for Iraq's new government after it formally regained sovereignty from the US-led coalition.
As Ankara hailed the release of three Turks kidnapped in Iraq and threatened with decapitation, US President George W. Bush said NATO's agreement to train the new Iraqi army was "a crucial success for the Iraqi people".
Newsasia: Nine killed on first day of Iraq government, Turkish hostages freed
Three US soldiers and six Iraqis were killed in violence on the first day of business for Iraq's new government after it formally regained sovereignty from the US-led coalition.
As Ankara hailed the release of three Turks kidnapped in Iraq and threatened with decapitation, US President George W. Bush said NATO's agreement to train the new Iraqi army was "a crucial success for the Iraqi people".
NEW DEMOCRATIC IRAQ
Informationclearinghouse: John Pilger On Iraq And The Future
America will wake up to the deaths of their children in Iraq'
Campaigning journalist John Pilger has vehemently opposed the Bush-Blair ‘war on terror’. With power due to be handed to the Iraqi people on Wednesday, Torcuil Crichton asked for his thoughts on that country’s future, and the prospects for world peace
Aljazeera: Foreign Hands Behind Iraq Blasts Say Experts
Iraqi experts accused 'foreign hands' of being behind the deadly string of random attacks in the war-torn country in an attempt to stir unrest ahead of the handover of power to Iraqis
The vicious cycle of violence will give reason to the overstay of the US-led occupation in the country after the power handover, he said.
YAHOO News: Iraqi Militants Kill US Soldier - Report
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi militants killed an American soldier they have held hostage for nearly three months, saying the killing was because the U.S. government did not change its policy in Iraq, Al-Jazeera television reported Tuesday.
News of the killing of Spc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, came hours after the United States returned sovereignty in Iraq to an interim government. The report did not say when Maupin was killed.
Independent: Another Bloody Day In Iraq As US Transfers Power By Patrick Cockburn in Baghdad and Leyla Linton
Two car bombs in the city of Hillah that killed at least 23 civilians and a rocket attack that left dead two children who were playing on the bank of the Tigris River in Baghdad have raised the political temperature before Wednesday's transfer of sovereignty.
A further 58 people were injured in the blasts in Hillah, south of Baghdad, including Noor Ahmed, a two-year-old whose right arm had to be amputated.
Yesterday's rocket attack in Baghdad, which came as President George Bush posed for a photograph with other Nato leaders in an Ottoman palace in Istanbul, was followed by the seizure of a US Marine. The hostage, like three Turks whose capture was announced on Saturday, has been threatened with beheading.
Informationclearinghouse: John Pilger On Iraq And The Future
America will wake up to the deaths of their children in Iraq'
Campaigning journalist John Pilger has vehemently opposed the Bush-Blair ‘war on terror’. With power due to be handed to the Iraqi people on Wednesday, Torcuil Crichton asked for his thoughts on that country’s future, and the prospects for world peace
Aljazeera: Foreign Hands Behind Iraq Blasts Say Experts
Iraqi experts accused 'foreign hands' of being behind the deadly string of random attacks in the war-torn country in an attempt to stir unrest ahead of the handover of power to Iraqis
The vicious cycle of violence will give reason to the overstay of the US-led occupation in the country after the power handover, he said.
YAHOO News: Iraqi Militants Kill US Soldier - Report
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi militants killed an American soldier they have held hostage for nearly three months, saying the killing was because the U.S. government did not change its policy in Iraq, Al-Jazeera television reported Tuesday.
News of the killing of Spc. Keith M. Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio, came hours after the United States returned sovereignty in Iraq to an interim government. The report did not say when Maupin was killed.
Independent: Another Bloody Day In Iraq As US Transfers Power By Patrick Cockburn in Baghdad and Leyla Linton
Two car bombs in the city of Hillah that killed at least 23 civilians and a rocket attack that left dead two children who were playing on the bank of the Tigris River in Baghdad have raised the political temperature before Wednesday's transfer of sovereignty.
A further 58 people were injured in the blasts in Hillah, south of Baghdad, including Noor Ahmed, a two-year-old whose right arm had to be amputated.
Yesterday's rocket attack in Baghdad, which came as President George Bush posed for a photograph with other Nato leaders in an Ottoman palace in Istanbul, was followed by the seizure of a US Marine. The hostage, like three Turks whose capture was announced on Saturday, has been threatened with beheading.
Monday, June 28, 2004
NEW IRAQ: 28.06.2004
Spiegel: Die geknebelte Demokratie
Die USA haben die Macht zwei Tage früher als vorgesehen an die irakische Übergangsregierung abgegeben. Doch ihr Plan für die Stabilisierung des Landes könnte ebenso scheitern wie der Großbritanniens nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg, als der Irak im Chaos versank. Die neuen Herrscher bieten Radikalen zu viele Angriffsfläche.
Independent: Power handed over to new Iraq government
The US-led coalition handed over sovereignty to the new Iraqi government today - two days earlier than planned.
The surprise move - formally ending the occupation by coalition forces - took place in a low-key ceremony in Baghdad's heavily-guarded Green Zone.
British and US officials said the transfer of power had been brought forward to "seize the political initiative" from anti-coalition militants who have been waging a bloody terrorist campaign.
Spiegel: Die geknebelte Demokratie
Die USA haben die Macht zwei Tage früher als vorgesehen an die irakische Übergangsregierung abgegeben. Doch ihr Plan für die Stabilisierung des Landes könnte ebenso scheitern wie der Großbritanniens nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg, als der Irak im Chaos versank. Die neuen Herrscher bieten Radikalen zu viele Angriffsfläche.
Independent: Power handed over to new Iraq government
The US-led coalition handed over sovereignty to the new Iraqi government today - two days earlier than planned.
The surprise move - formally ending the occupation by coalition forces - took place in a low-key ceremony in Baghdad's heavily-guarded Green Zone.
British and US officials said the transfer of power had been brought forward to "seize the political initiative" from anti-coalition militants who have been waging a bloody terrorist campaign.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
IRAQ: SOVEREIGNTY
Financial Times: Iraq ministers told only US can impose martial law
The US-led occupation authority in Baghdad has warned Iraq's interim government not to carry out its threat of declaring martial law, insisting that only the US-led coalition has the right to adopt emergency powers after the June 30 handover of sovereignty.
Senior American officials say Iraq's authorities are bound by human rights clauses in the interim constitution, known as the Transitional Administrative Law, prohibiting administrative detention.
But they say the recent United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 sanctions the use by foreign forces in Iraq of "all necessary measures" to provide security.
A senior coalition official in Baghdad said: "Under the UN resolution, the multinational force will have the power to take all actions traditionally associated with martial law." He said they had raised their legal objections with Iyad Allawi, Iraq's prime minister.
"Have you checked your dictionary to determine the meaning of the word, "Sovereignty?"
Financial Times: Iraq ministers told only US can impose martial law
The US-led occupation authority in Baghdad has warned Iraq's interim government not to carry out its threat of declaring martial law, insisting that only the US-led coalition has the right to adopt emergency powers after the June 30 handover of sovereignty.
Senior American officials say Iraq's authorities are bound by human rights clauses in the interim constitution, known as the Transitional Administrative Law, prohibiting administrative detention.
But they say the recent United Nations Security Council resolution 1546 sanctions the use by foreign forces in Iraq of "all necessary measures" to provide security.
A senior coalition official in Baghdad said: "Under the UN resolution, the multinational force will have the power to take all actions traditionally associated with martial law." He said they had raised their legal objections with Iyad Allawi, Iraq's prime minister.
"Have you checked your dictionary to determine the meaning of the word, "Sovereignty?"
USA
Guardian: Moonie leader 'crowned' in Senate
The US Senate was used for a bizarre ritual in which the Rev Sun Myung Moon, the head of the Unification church, was "crowned" and declared himself the messiah in the presence of more than a dozen Republican and Democratic members of Congress, it was reported yesterday.
"Emperors, kings and presidents ... have declared to all heaven and Earth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon is none other than humanity's saviour, messiah, returning Lord and true parent," the 85-year-old Korean "Moonie" cult leader told several hundred guests at the meeting in one of the Senate's office buildings on March 23, according to the Washington Post
Guardian: Moonie leader 'crowned' in Senate
The US Senate was used for a bizarre ritual in which the Rev Sun Myung Moon, the head of the Unification church, was "crowned" and declared himself the messiah in the presence of more than a dozen Republican and Democratic members of Congress, it was reported yesterday.
"Emperors, kings and presidents ... have declared to all heaven and Earth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon is none other than humanity's saviour, messiah, returning Lord and true parent," the 85-year-old Korean "Moonie" cult leader told several hundred guests at the meeting in one of the Senate's office buildings on March 23, according to the Washington Post
AIDS
Rense: AIDS As Biological And
Psychological Warfare
Despite repeated denials from Defense Department officials, allegations persist that AIDS is a genetically altered virus, which has been deliberately released to wipe out homosexuals and/or non-whites in the U.S. and reduce populations in third world countries.
At first glance it seems like the epitome of paranoia to accuse the military of conspiring to exterminate citizens of their own country, and even some of their own troops. However, the vast majority of military personnel could be completely unaware of such a plot in their midst, while a relative handful of traitors in key positions could conduct it under cover of classified operations. And the circumstantial evidence is actually quite compelling, that the AIDS virus was artificially engineered, and planted in several different locations at about the same time through vaccination programs, and possibly blood bank contamination.
Rense: AIDS As Biological And
Psychological Warfare
Despite repeated denials from Defense Department officials, allegations persist that AIDS is a genetically altered virus, which has been deliberately released to wipe out homosexuals and/or non-whites in the U.S. and reduce populations in third world countries.
At first glance it seems like the epitome of paranoia to accuse the military of conspiring to exterminate citizens of their own country, and even some of their own troops. However, the vast majority of military personnel could be completely unaware of such a plot in their midst, while a relative handful of traitors in key positions could conduct it under cover of classified operations. And the circumstantial evidence is actually quite compelling, that the AIDS virus was artificially engineered, and planted in several different locations at about the same time through vaccination programs, and possibly blood bank contamination.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
SPAIN: MADRID BOMBING
Times: Bomb squad link in Spanish blasts
The man accused of supplying the dynamite used in the al-Qaeda train bombings in Madrid was in possession of the private telephone number of the head of Spain’s Civil Guard bomb squad, it emerged yesterday.
Emilio Suárez Trashorras, who is alleged to have supplied 200kg of dynamite used in the bombs, had obtained the number of Juan Jesús Sánchez Manzano, the head of Tedax...
The revelation has raised fresh concerns in Madrid about links between those held responsible for the March bombings, which killed 190 people, and Spain’s security services, and shortcomings in the police investigation. Señor Suárez Trashorras and two other men implicated in the bombings have already been identified as police informers. Other members of the group had evaded police surveillance, despite concerns within the security services about their activities and evidence of their association with al-Qaeda.
BBC: Spain suspects 'were informants'
The Spanish interior ministry says it is investigating reports that two suspects in the 11 March Madrid train bombings were police informants.
The move came after Spain's El Mundo newspaper said Moroccan Rafa Zuher and Spaniard Jose Emilio Suarez had been in contact with police before the attacks.
The men are suspected of providing dynamite for the attacks, which killed 191 people and injured more than 2,000.
The paper said they passed on details about drug deals and other crimes.
Mr Suarez, a former miner, was arrested a week after the attacks and is the only Spanish-born suspect in custody.
Times: Bomb squad link in Spanish blasts
The man accused of supplying the dynamite used in the al-Qaeda train bombings in Madrid was in possession of the private telephone number of the head of Spain’s Civil Guard bomb squad, it emerged yesterday.
Emilio Suárez Trashorras, who is alleged to have supplied 200kg of dynamite used in the bombs, had obtained the number of Juan Jesús Sánchez Manzano, the head of Tedax...
The revelation has raised fresh concerns in Madrid about links between those held responsible for the March bombings, which killed 190 people, and Spain’s security services, and shortcomings in the police investigation. Señor Suárez Trashorras and two other men implicated in the bombings have already been identified as police informers. Other members of the group had evaded police surveillance, despite concerns within the security services about their activities and evidence of their association with al-Qaeda.
BBC: Spain suspects 'were informants'
The Spanish interior ministry says it is investigating reports that two suspects in the 11 March Madrid train bombings were police informants.
The move came after Spain's El Mundo newspaper said Moroccan Rafa Zuher and Spaniard Jose Emilio Suarez had been in contact with police before the attacks.
The men are suspected of providing dynamite for the attacks, which killed 191 people and injured more than 2,000.
The paper said they passed on details about drug deals and other crimes.
Mr Suarez, a former miner, was arrested a week after the attacks and is the only Spanish-born suspect in custody.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
ISRAEL
Counterpunch: Israel's Intelligence Scandal by Uri Avnery
Two weeks ago, the international community made a shocking declaration.
Giving in to a demand by George Bush, the “Quartet” accepted the “Revised Disengagement Plan” of Ariel Sharon. This means that the United Nations, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States confirmed this document. I wonder if any one of the honorable diplomats has read the document with their own eyes.
In the first paragraph of the “plan”, the following words appear: “Israel has come to the conclusion that at present, there is no Palestinian partner with whom it is possible to make progress on a bilateral peace process.”
That is to say, the international community has confirmed that the Palestinian people has no right to take part in the determination of its own fate. Everything will be decided by the Government of Israel alone, with the backing of the United States, whose position will be automatically accepted by the other partners of the “Quartet”.
The European Union with its 25 member-states, the government of the Russian Federation and the organization that represents the entire world have humbly accepted the edict of Bush, the dictator of the world, who is himself a captive of Sharon. Sharon decided long ago that the elected president of the Palestinian people is “irrelevant”, together with the whole Palestinian leadership.
The Palestinian people have been eliminated from the list of decision-makers, thereby also abolishing in practice all the agreements signed with them, from Oslo to the Road Map.
Counterpunch: Israel's Intelligence Scandal by Uri Avnery
Two weeks ago, the international community made a shocking declaration.
Giving in to a demand by George Bush, the “Quartet” accepted the “Revised Disengagement Plan” of Ariel Sharon. This means that the United Nations, the European Union, the Russian Federation and the United States confirmed this document. I wonder if any one of the honorable diplomats has read the document with their own eyes.
In the first paragraph of the “plan”, the following words appear: “Israel has come to the conclusion that at present, there is no Palestinian partner with whom it is possible to make progress on a bilateral peace process.”
That is to say, the international community has confirmed that the Palestinian people has no right to take part in the determination of its own fate. Everything will be decided by the Government of Israel alone, with the backing of the United States, whose position will be automatically accepted by the other partners of the “Quartet”.
The European Union with its 25 member-states, the government of the Russian Federation and the organization that represents the entire world have humbly accepted the edict of Bush, the dictator of the world, who is himself a captive of Sharon. Sharon decided long ago that the elected president of the Palestinian people is “irrelevant”, together with the whole Palestinian leadership.
The Palestinian people have been eliminated from the list of decision-makers, thereby also abolishing in practice all the agreements signed with them, from Oslo to the Road Map.
IRAQ
NEW YORKER: Plan B By Seymour M. Hersh
In July, 2003, two months after President Bush declared victory in Iraq, the war, far from winding down, reached a critical point. Israel, which had been among the war's most enthusiastic supporters, began warning the Administration that the American-led occupation would face a heightened insurgency - a campaign of bombings and assassinations - later that summer. Israeli intelligence assets in Iraq were reporting that the insurgents had the support of Iranian intelligence operatives and other foreign fighters, who were crossing the unprotected border between Iran and Iraq at will. The Israelis urged the United States to seal the nine-hundred-mile-long border, at whatever cost.
Aljazeera: Israeli Agents Now In Kurdistan
NEW YORKER: Plan B By Seymour M. Hersh
In July, 2003, two months after President Bush declared victory in Iraq, the war, far from winding down, reached a critical point. Israel, which had been among the war's most enthusiastic supporters, began warning the Administration that the American-led occupation would face a heightened insurgency - a campaign of bombings and assassinations - later that summer. Israeli intelligence assets in Iraq were reporting that the insurgents had the support of Iranian intelligence operatives and other foreign fighters, who were crossing the unprotected border between Iran and Iraq at will. The Israelis urged the United States to seal the nine-hundred-mile-long border, at whatever cost.
Aljazeera: Israeli Agents Now In Kurdistan
IRAQ
ZMAG: Doctrines And Visions: Who Is To Run The World, And How? by Noam Chomsky
We have just passed the first anniversary of the President's declaration of victory in Iraq. I won't speak about what is happening on the ground. There is more than enough information about that, and we can draw our own conclusions. I will just mention one aspect of it: What has happened to Iraqis? About that, we know little, because it is not investigated. Some surprise has recently been voiced in the British press about this gap in our knowledge. That's a misunderstanding. It is quite general practice. Thus we do not know within millions how many people died in the course of the US wars in Indochina. Information and concern are so slight that in the only careful study I have found, the mean estimate of Vietnamese who died is 100,000, about 5% of the official figure and probably 2-3% of the actual figure. Virtually no one knows that victims of the US chemical warfare that began in 1962 are estimated at about 600,000, still dying, or that it was recently discovered that the use of devastating carcinogens was at twice the announced rate, and at levels incomparably beyond anything tolerated within the industrial societies -- all in South Vietnam; the North was spared this particular atrocity
ZMAG: Doctrines And Visions: Who Is To Run The World, And How? by Noam Chomsky
We have just passed the first anniversary of the President's declaration of victory in Iraq. I won't speak about what is happening on the ground. There is more than enough information about that, and we can draw our own conclusions. I will just mention one aspect of it: What has happened to Iraqis? About that, we know little, because it is not investigated. Some surprise has recently been voiced in the British press about this gap in our knowledge. That's a misunderstanding. It is quite general practice. Thus we do not know within millions how many people died in the course of the US wars in Indochina. Information and concern are so slight that in the only careful study I have found, the mean estimate of Vietnamese who died is 100,000, about 5% of the official figure and probably 2-3% of the actual figure. Virtually no one knows that victims of the US chemical warfare that began in 1962 are estimated at about 600,000, still dying, or that it was recently discovered that the use of devastating carcinogens was at twice the announced rate, and at levels incomparably beyond anything tolerated within the industrial societies -- all in South Vietnam; the North was spared this particular atrocity
VENZUELA: COUP
ZMAG: The Final Answer Will Be Given by the Tanks by Justin Podur
Colombia's new border brigade and the Venezuelan referendum
few months ago, the commander of the Venezuelan Army, Raul Baduel, described something that worried him (1). Colombia had just purchased 46 AMX-30 battle tanks from Spain. The media claimed the tanks were to fight drug trafficking, but that hardly seemed plausible. Baduel suspected that the tanks were going to end up on the Venezuelan border.
This deployment was blandly reported in El Tiempo, Colombia's national newspaper, yesterday (2). The 46 tanks will be part of a new Brigade, especially created, to 'patrol the border'. Four battalions and a Special Forces group form this new Brigade. The tanks are supposed to arrive in (and watch the timing carefully, for we will revisit it) August....
....In August, Venezuelans are supposed to vote again to determine their future. There are many who think that the Venezuelan majority has spoken loudly and clearly already, and that this referendum is a sham. Sham or no, Chavez could easily win a fair referendum. The real danger is that if Uribe and the United States have their way, "The final answer" may be "given by the tanks."
"CHECK IT"
ZMAG: The Final Answer Will Be Given by the Tanks by Justin Podur
Colombia's new border brigade and the Venezuelan referendum
few months ago, the commander of the Venezuelan Army, Raul Baduel, described something that worried him (1). Colombia had just purchased 46 AMX-30 battle tanks from Spain. The media claimed the tanks were to fight drug trafficking, but that hardly seemed plausible. Baduel suspected that the tanks were going to end up on the Venezuelan border.
This deployment was blandly reported in El Tiempo, Colombia's national newspaper, yesterday (2). The 46 tanks will be part of a new Brigade, especially created, to 'patrol the border'. Four battalions and a Special Forces group form this new Brigade. The tanks are supposed to arrive in (and watch the timing carefully, for we will revisit it) August....
....In August, Venezuelans are supposed to vote again to determine their future. There are many who think that the Venezuelan majority has spoken loudly and clearly already, and that this referendum is a sham. Sham or no, Chavez could easily win a fair referendum. The real danger is that if Uribe and the United States have their way, "The final answer" may be "given by the tanks."
"CHECK IT"
USA: ELECTIONS
Zmag: Lost Votes by Greg Palast
In the 2000 presidential election, 1.9 million Americans cast ballots that no one counted. "Spoiled votes" is the technical term. The pile of ballots left to rot has a distinctly dark hue: About 1 million of them -- half of the rejected ballots -- were cast by African Americans although black voters make up only 12 percent of the electorate.
This year, it could get worse.
These ugly racial statistics are hidden away in the mathematical thickets of the appendices to official reports coming out of the investigation of ballot-box monkey business in Florida from the last go-'round.
How do you spoil 2 million ballots? Not by leaving them out of the fridge too long. A stray mark, a jammed machine, a punch card punched twice will do it. It's easy to lose your vote, especially when some politicians want your vote lost.
CHECK IT
Zmag: Lost Votes by Greg Palast
In the 2000 presidential election, 1.9 million Americans cast ballots that no one counted. "Spoiled votes" is the technical term. The pile of ballots left to rot has a distinctly dark hue: About 1 million of them -- half of the rejected ballots -- were cast by African Americans although black voters make up only 12 percent of the electorate.
This year, it could get worse.
These ugly racial statistics are hidden away in the mathematical thickets of the appendices to official reports coming out of the investigation of ballot-box monkey business in Florida from the last go-'round.
How do you spoil 2 million ballots? Not by leaving them out of the fridge too long. A stray mark, a jammed machine, a punch card punched twice will do it. It's easy to lose your vote, especially when some politicians want your vote lost.
CHECK IT
Friday, June 18, 2004
USA: PSYCHO BUSH
Capitol Hill Blue: New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional
The carefully-crafted image of George W. Bush as a bold, decisive leader is cracking under the weight of new revelations that the erratic President is indecisive, moody, paranoid and delusional.
“More and more this brings back memories of the Nixon White House,” says retired political science professor George Harleigh, who worked for President Nixon during the second presidential term that ended in resignation under fire. “I haven’t heard any reports of President Bush wondering the halls talking to portraits of dead Presidents but what I have been told is disturbing.”
....Dr. Frank, the Democrat, says the only diagnosis he can offer for the President’s condition is removal from office.
Dr. Williams, the Republican, says she must “reluctantly agree.”
“We have too many unanswered questions about the President’s behavior,” she says. “You cannot have those kinds of unanswered questions when you are talking about the leader of the free world.”
Capitol Hill Blue: New Information Shows Bush Indecisive, Paranoid, Delusional
The carefully-crafted image of George W. Bush as a bold, decisive leader is cracking under the weight of new revelations that the erratic President is indecisive, moody, paranoid and delusional.
“More and more this brings back memories of the Nixon White House,” says retired political science professor George Harleigh, who worked for President Nixon during the second presidential term that ended in resignation under fire. “I haven’t heard any reports of President Bush wondering the halls talking to portraits of dead Presidents but what I have been told is disturbing.”
....Dr. Frank, the Democrat, says the only diagnosis he can offer for the President’s condition is removal from office.
Dr. Williams, the Republican, says she must “reluctantly agree.”
“We have too many unanswered questions about the President’s behavior,” she says. “You cannot have those kinds of unanswered questions when you are talking about the leader of the free world.”
Thursday, June 17, 2004
IRAQ: PROPAGANDA WATCH
VOA News: Iran Denies Report Of Troop Buildup On Iraq Border
Iran's state-run news agency IRNA quotes what it calls "an informed source" as denying a report in a Saudi-owned newspaper that says Iranian troops are massing on the border with Iraq.
The report in the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat, or "Middle East" newspaper, quotes what it calls "reliable sources" who say four Iranian battalions have moved to the southern border with Iraq. The sources say the troops are preparing to move into Iraq to fill a security vacuum if U.S. forces pull out after the transfer of sovereignty on June 30.
But IRNA quotes its source as saying the report is "fabricated and baseless" and is meant to help the United States continue its occupation of Iraq.
Iranian officials have previously said the Tehran government supports full sovereignty for Iraq.
VOA News: Iran Denies Report Of Troop Buildup On Iraq Border
Iran's state-run news agency IRNA quotes what it calls "an informed source" as denying a report in a Saudi-owned newspaper that says Iranian troops are massing on the border with Iraq.
The report in the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat, or "Middle East" newspaper, quotes what it calls "reliable sources" who say four Iranian battalions have moved to the southern border with Iraq. The sources say the troops are preparing to move into Iraq to fill a security vacuum if U.S. forces pull out after the transfer of sovereignty on June 30.
But IRNA quotes its source as saying the report is "fabricated and baseless" and is meant to help the United States continue its occupation of Iraq.
Iranian officials have previously said the Tehran government supports full sovereignty for Iraq.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Guardian: Shell Chairman: My Fears For Planet
Oil Chief's 'Confession' Shocks Industry
The head of one of the world's biggest oil companies has admitted that the threat of climate change makes him "really very worried for the planet".
In an interview in today's Guardian Life section, Ron Oxburgh, chairman of Shell, says we urgently need to capture emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which scientists think contribute to global warming, and store them underground - a technique called carbon sequestration.
"Sequestration is difficult, but if we don't have sequestration then I see very little hope for the world," said Lord Oxburgh. "No one can be comfortable at the prospect of continuing to pump out the amounts of carbon dioxide that we are pumping out at present ... with consequences that we really can't predict but are probably not good."
Guardian: Shell Chairman: My Fears For Planet
Oil Chief's 'Confession' Shocks Industry
The head of one of the world's biggest oil companies has admitted that the threat of climate change makes him "really very worried for the planet".
In an interview in today's Guardian Life section, Ron Oxburgh, chairman of Shell, says we urgently need to capture emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, which scientists think contribute to global warming, and store them underground - a technique called carbon sequestration.
"Sequestration is difficult, but if we don't have sequestration then I see very little hope for the world," said Lord Oxburgh. "No one can be comfortable at the prospect of continuing to pump out the amounts of carbon dioxide that we are pumping out at present ... with consequences that we really can't predict but are probably not good."
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
IRAQ: WMD
Tehran Times: US Trucks Caught Carrying Radioactives INTO Iraq
TEHRAN (MNA) - The UAE-based daily Al-Khaleej reported on Monday that Kuwaiti tariff officials have intercepted a truck loaded with radioactive materials in the Iraq-Kuwait border.
The daily quoted informed sources as saying that the radioactive control team from Kuwait?s Health Ministry discovered that one of the trucks belonging to the U.S.-led coalition forces was carrying heavy radioactive materials trucks. The trucks were headed for Iraq.
The daily said that such materials could only enter a country when there is permission from related bodies while the materials were secretly being carried to Iraq.
Xinhua: Kuwait sends back truck carrying radioactive material
KUWAIT CITY, June 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Kuwait refused to allow a radioactive material-bound truck to enter the country as demanded by the US army, Kuwait Times reported Sunday.
Kuwaiti customs department on Thursday impounded four trucks coming from Iraq for suspicion that they were loaded with radioactive material.
After checkup, three of them were found not containing any radioactive material, while the fourth was found to be carrying a container of highly radioactive substance
Tehran Times: US Trucks Caught Carrying Radioactives INTO Iraq
TEHRAN (MNA) - The UAE-based daily Al-Khaleej reported on Monday that Kuwaiti tariff officials have intercepted a truck loaded with radioactive materials in the Iraq-Kuwait border.
The daily quoted informed sources as saying that the radioactive control team from Kuwait?s Health Ministry discovered that one of the trucks belonging to the U.S.-led coalition forces was carrying heavy radioactive materials trucks. The trucks were headed for Iraq.
The daily said that such materials could only enter a country when there is permission from related bodies while the materials were secretly being carried to Iraq.
Xinhua: Kuwait sends back truck carrying radioactive material
KUWAIT CITY, June 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Kuwait refused to allow a radioactive material-bound truck to enter the country as demanded by the US army, Kuwait Times reported Sunday.
Kuwaiti customs department on Thursday impounded four trucks coming from Iraq for suspicion that they were loaded with radioactive material.
After checkup, three of them were found not containing any radioactive material, while the fourth was found to be carrying a container of highly radioactive substance
Monday, June 14, 2004
911
Heise.de: Die Wargames des 11. September
Am Morgen des 11.9. fanden Miltärübungen mit Flugzeugen statt, die als enführte Linienmaschinen posierten
Heise.de:
Willkommen im Büro von Donald Rumsfeld
Wer änderte am 1. Juni 2001 die Direktiven zum Abfangen entführter Flugzeuge? - Wargames Teil II
Dass für die Geostrategen des Bushlagers eine Katastrophe wie die des 11.9. für ein "neues amerikanisches Jahrhundert" wünschenswert war, um als "neues Pearl Harbor" den Prätext für die geplanten Eroberungskriege zu liefern, ist kein großes Geheimnis mehr - selbst die Mainstream-Medien haben die Papiere des "Project for a New American Century" leicht stirnrunzelnd und mit kritischen Kommentaren zur Kenntnis gebracht. Allerdings: Wenn einer ein Verbrechen schamlos ausbeutet, heißt das ja noch lange nicht, dass er es auch begangen hat. Wie aber, wenn wir ihn auch noch bei Vorbereitungen ertappen, die die Durchführung des Verbrechens erst ermöglichen? Willkommen im Büro von Donald Rumsfeld.
Fromthewilderess: TRIPOD II AND FEMA
Lack of NORAD Response on 9/11 Explained
International Free Press: Webster Tarpley: Bush Backers prepare Super 9/11
By Webster Griffin Tarpley
Toronto, May 30 – Intelligence patterns monitored over the US Memorial
Day weekend now point conclusively to an imminent new round of ABC
(atomic-bacteriological-chemical) terror attacks in the United States,
Great Britain, Canada, and possibly other nations. These attacks could
include nuclear detonations, radiological dirty bombs, poison gas and
other chemical weapons, or biological agents, to be unleashed in such
urban settings as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC,
Vancouver BC, or London.
Heise.de: Die Wargames des 11. September
Am Morgen des 11.9. fanden Miltärübungen mit Flugzeugen statt, die als enführte Linienmaschinen posierten
Heise.de:
Willkommen im Büro von Donald Rumsfeld
Wer änderte am 1. Juni 2001 die Direktiven zum Abfangen entführter Flugzeuge? - Wargames Teil II
Dass für die Geostrategen des Bushlagers eine Katastrophe wie die des 11.9. für ein "neues amerikanisches Jahrhundert" wünschenswert war, um als "neues Pearl Harbor" den Prätext für die geplanten Eroberungskriege zu liefern, ist kein großes Geheimnis mehr - selbst die Mainstream-Medien haben die Papiere des "Project for a New American Century" leicht stirnrunzelnd und mit kritischen Kommentaren zur Kenntnis gebracht. Allerdings: Wenn einer ein Verbrechen schamlos ausbeutet, heißt das ja noch lange nicht, dass er es auch begangen hat. Wie aber, wenn wir ihn auch noch bei Vorbereitungen ertappen, die die Durchführung des Verbrechens erst ermöglichen? Willkommen im Büro von Donald Rumsfeld.
Fromthewilderess: TRIPOD II AND FEMA
Lack of NORAD Response on 9/11 Explained
International Free Press: Webster Tarpley: Bush Backers prepare Super 9/11
By Webster Griffin Tarpley
Toronto, May 30 – Intelligence patterns monitored over the US Memorial
Day weekend now point conclusively to an imminent new round of ABC
(atomic-bacteriological-chemical) terror attacks in the United States,
Great Britain, Canada, and possibly other nations. These attacks could
include nuclear detonations, radiological dirty bombs, poison gas and
other chemical weapons, or biological agents, to be unleashed in such
urban settings as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC,
Vancouver BC, or London.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
PROPAGANDA WATCH
Rense: A Classic Case Of Media Conditioning & Mind Control by Moshe Cohen
Hi Jeff,
Re: AL QAEDA WEAPONS FOUND HIDDEN IN U.S. http://www.nationalenquirer.com/stories/feature.cfm?instanceid=61849
I am really surprised you posted this article. This 'article' in my opinion is a complete fabrication from beginning to end, classical Ashcroft-FBI PROPAGANDA/misinformation, causing havoc to our American economy. It seems that it was written by Ashcroft/Condi/Cheney to scare the American people, justify 'Homeland Security' fascist Department, and especially to encourage all Americans to spy on each other. Now that we know the Nazi background of the Bush family, one wonders when Bush will use Patriot Act to fill the trains with Americans who do not worship him, and then ship them to Guantanamo?
(Note - We post articles like the one referenced here specifically to nudge our thinking audience to do exactly what Moshe has done: to evaluate, question and challenge these kinds of stories. -ed)
"CHECK IT"
Rense: A Classic Case Of Media Conditioning & Mind Control by Moshe Cohen
Hi Jeff,
Re: AL QAEDA WEAPONS FOUND HIDDEN IN U.S. http://www.nationalenquirer.com/stories/feature.cfm?instanceid=61849
I am really surprised you posted this article. This 'article' in my opinion is a complete fabrication from beginning to end, classical Ashcroft-FBI PROPAGANDA/misinformation, causing havoc to our American economy. It seems that it was written by Ashcroft/Condi/Cheney to scare the American people, justify 'Homeland Security' fascist Department, and especially to encourage all Americans to spy on each other. Now that we know the Nazi background of the Bush family, one wonders when Bush will use Patriot Act to fill the trains with Americans who do not worship him, and then ship them to Guantanamo?
(Note - We post articles like the one referenced here specifically to nudge our thinking audience to do exactly what Moshe has done: to evaluate, question and challenge these kinds of stories. -ed)
"CHECK IT"
TERROR PR
Globalresearch: Who is Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi? by Michel Chossudovsky
The US intelligence apparatus has created it own terrorist organizations. And at the same time, it creates its own terrorist warnings concerning the terrorist organizations which it has itself created. In turn, it has developed a cohesive multibillion dollar counterterrorism program "to go after" these terrorist organizations.
Counterterrorism and war propaganda are intertwined. The propaganda apparatus feeds disinformation into the news chain. The terror warnings must appear to be "genuine". The objective is to present the terror groups as "enemies of America."
The underlying objective is to galvanize public opinion in support of America's war agenda.
The "war on terrorism" requires a humanitarian mandate. The war on terrorism is presented to as a "Just War", which is to be fought on moral grounds "to redress a wrong suffered."
The Just War theory defines "good" and "evil." It concretely portrays and personifies the terrorist leaders as "evil individuals".
Several prominent American intellectuals and antiwar activists, who stand firmly opposed to to the Bush administration, are nonetheless supporters of the Just War theory: "We are against war in all its forms but we support the campaign against international terrorism."
To reach its foreign policy objectives, the images of terrorism must remain vivid in the minds of the citizens, who are constantly reminded of the terrorist threat.
The propaganda campaign presents the portraits of the leaders behind the terror network. In other words, at the level of what constitutes an "advertising" campaign, "it gives a face to terror." The "war on terrorism" rests on the creation of one or more evil bogeymen, the terror leaders, Osama bin Laden, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, et al, whose names and photos are presented ad nauseam in daily news reports.
CHECK IT
Globalresearch: Who is Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi? by Michel Chossudovsky
The US intelligence apparatus has created it own terrorist organizations. And at the same time, it creates its own terrorist warnings concerning the terrorist organizations which it has itself created. In turn, it has developed a cohesive multibillion dollar counterterrorism program "to go after" these terrorist organizations.
Counterterrorism and war propaganda are intertwined. The propaganda apparatus feeds disinformation into the news chain. The terror warnings must appear to be "genuine". The objective is to present the terror groups as "enemies of America."
The underlying objective is to galvanize public opinion in support of America's war agenda.
The "war on terrorism" requires a humanitarian mandate. The war on terrorism is presented to as a "Just War", which is to be fought on moral grounds "to redress a wrong suffered."
The Just War theory defines "good" and "evil." It concretely portrays and personifies the terrorist leaders as "evil individuals".
Several prominent American intellectuals and antiwar activists, who stand firmly opposed to to the Bush administration, are nonetheless supporters of the Just War theory: "We are against war in all its forms but we support the campaign against international terrorism."
To reach its foreign policy objectives, the images of terrorism must remain vivid in the minds of the citizens, who are constantly reminded of the terrorist threat.
The propaganda campaign presents the portraits of the leaders behind the terror network. In other words, at the level of what constitutes an "advertising" campaign, "it gives a face to terror." The "war on terrorism" rests on the creation of one or more evil bogeymen, the terror leaders, Osama bin Laden, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, et al, whose names and photos are presented ad nauseam in daily news reports.
CHECK IT
TERROR
Washington Post: State Dept. Concedes Errors in Terror Data
Two months ago, the Bush administration released its annual report card on counterterrorism and gave itself an A. The number of terrorist attacks around the globe, according to the State Department report called "Patterns of Global Terrorism," was at the lowest ebb in the past 34 years.
Not long afterward, however, the report was pilloried by academics, a lawmaker and others. They said its math defied the reality of a steady growth in the number and significance of terrorist attacks in 2003, as well as the worst type of attacks spreading from just a few countries to at least 10.
When you read the report, TTIC did not add [the data] properly. Even a third-grader could have found this," Johnson said. "The body counts in 2002 and 2003 were at the highest levels in history."
Thank Mr. Bush for making the world a safer place
Washington Post: State Dept. Concedes Errors in Terror Data
Two months ago, the Bush administration released its annual report card on counterterrorism and gave itself an A. The number of terrorist attacks around the globe, according to the State Department report called "Patterns of Global Terrorism," was at the lowest ebb in the past 34 years.
Not long afterward, however, the report was pilloried by academics, a lawmaker and others. They said its math defied the reality of a steady growth in the number and significance of terrorist attacks in 2003, as well as the worst type of attacks spreading from just a few countries to at least 10.
When you read the report, TTIC did not add [the data] properly. Even a third-grader could have found this," Johnson said. "The body counts in 2002 and 2003 were at the highest levels in history."
Thank Mr. Bush for making the world a safer place
WAR ON SALE
Corpwatch: Controversial Commando Wins Iraq Contract
Occupation authorities in Iraq have awarded a $293 million contract effectively creating the world's largest private army to a company headed by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer, a former officer with the Scots Guard, an elite regiment of the British military, who has been investigated for illegally smuggling arms and planning military offensives to support mining, oil, and gas operations around the world. On May 25, the Army Transportation command awarded Spicer's company, Aegis Defense Services, the contract to coordinate all the security for Iraqi reconstruction projects.
"I am pleased to confirm that we've been awarded a contract to assist the Project Management Office (PMO) in Iraq by the United States Department of Defense," said Spicer, who started Aegis just over a year ago on Picadilly in London, only a short walk from Buckingham Palace. "The contract involves coordination of security support for reconstruction contractors and for the protection of PMO personnel
Corpwatch: Controversial Commando Wins Iraq Contract
Occupation authorities in Iraq have awarded a $293 million contract effectively creating the world's largest private army to a company headed by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer, a former officer with the Scots Guard, an elite regiment of the British military, who has been investigated for illegally smuggling arms and planning military offensives to support mining, oil, and gas operations around the world. On May 25, the Army Transportation command awarded Spicer's company, Aegis Defense Services, the contract to coordinate all the security for Iraqi reconstruction projects.
"I am pleased to confirm that we've been awarded a contract to assist the Project Management Office (PMO) in Iraq by the United States Department of Defense," said Spicer, who started Aegis just over a year ago on Picadilly in London, only a short walk from Buckingham Palace. "The contract involves coordination of security support for reconstruction contractors and for the protection of PMO personnel
UK: ELECTIONS
Guardian: Local election 'kicking' for Labour
Tony Blair suffered an electoral "kicking" as Labour limped into third place in local elections, losing control of key heartlands including Leeds, Doncaster and Newcastle.
The loss of Leeds and Newcastle to the Liberal Democrats is a major blow for Labour, which ran the metropolitan councils uninterrupted for 24 and 30 years respectively.
Guardian: Local election 'kicking' for Labour
Tony Blair suffered an electoral "kicking" as Labour limped into third place in local elections, losing control of key heartlands including Leeds, Doncaster and Newcastle.
The loss of Leeds and Newcastle to the Liberal Democrats is a major blow for Labour, which ran the metropolitan councils uninterrupted for 24 and 30 years respectively.
INTERVIW: RAPLH NADER
American Conservative: Ralph Nader: Conservatively Speaking
The long-time progressive makes a pitch for the disenfranchised Right.
Ralph Nader recently accepted Pat Buchanan’s invitation to sit down with us and explain why his third-party presidential bid ought to appeal to conservatives disaffected with George W. Bush. We think readers will be interested in the reflections of a man who has been a major figure in American public life for 40 years—and who now finds himself that rarest of birds, a conviction politician.
Pat Buchanan: Let me start off with foreign policy—Iraq and the Middle East. You have seen the polls indicating widespread contempt for the United States abroad. Why do they hate us?
Ralph Nader: First of all, we have been supporting despots, dictators, and oligarchs in all those states for a variety of purposes. We supported Saddam Hussein. He was our anti-Communist dictator until 1990. It’s also cultural; they see corporate culture as abandoning the restraints on personal behavior dictated by their religion and culture. Our corporate pornography and anything-goes values are profoundly offensive to them.
The other thing is that we are supporting the Israeli military regime with billions of dollars and ignoring both the Israeli peace movement, which is very substantial, and the Palestinian peace movement. They see a nuclear-armed Israel that could wipe out the Middle East in a weekend if it wanted to.
VOTE FOR NADER
American Conservative: Ralph Nader: Conservatively Speaking
The long-time progressive makes a pitch for the disenfranchised Right.
Ralph Nader recently accepted Pat Buchanan’s invitation to sit down with us and explain why his third-party presidential bid ought to appeal to conservatives disaffected with George W. Bush. We think readers will be interested in the reflections of a man who has been a major figure in American public life for 40 years—and who now finds himself that rarest of birds, a conviction politician.
Pat Buchanan: Let me start off with foreign policy—Iraq and the Middle East. You have seen the polls indicating widespread contempt for the United States abroad. Why do they hate us?
Ralph Nader: First of all, we have been supporting despots, dictators, and oligarchs in all those states for a variety of purposes. We supported Saddam Hussein. He was our anti-Communist dictator until 1990. It’s also cultural; they see corporate culture as abandoning the restraints on personal behavior dictated by their religion and culture. Our corporate pornography and anything-goes values are profoundly offensive to them.
The other thing is that we are supporting the Israeli military regime with billions of dollars and ignoring both the Israeli peace movement, which is very substantial, and the Palestinian peace movement. They see a nuclear-armed Israel that could wipe out the Middle East in a weekend if it wanted to.
VOTE FOR NADER
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
PEAK OIL
BBC: Is the world's oil running out fast?
If you think oil prices are high at $40 a barrel then wait till they are four times that much.
How will you pay to run your car? How will you get the children to school? How will you heat your house? How much will transported food go up in price?
How will we pay for plastics, metals, rubber, cheap flights, Simpson's DVDs, 3G phones and everlasting economic growth?
The basic answer is, we won't.
BBC: Is the world's oil running out fast?
If you think oil prices are high at $40 a barrel then wait till they are four times that much.
How will you pay to run your car? How will you get the children to school? How will you heat your house? How much will transported food go up in price?
How will we pay for plastics, metals, rubber, cheap flights, Simpson's DVDs, 3G phones and everlasting economic growth?
The basic answer is, we won't.
Monday, June 07, 2004
USA: RONALD REAGAN
Greg Palast: Reagan - More Proof Only The Good Die Young
You're not going to like this. You shouldn't speak ill of the dead. But in this case, someone's got to.
Ronald Reagan was a conman. Reagan was a coward. Reagan was a killer.
In 1987, I found myself stuck in a crappy little town in Nicaragua named Chaguitillo. The people were kind enough, though hungry, except for one surly young man. His wife had just died of tuberculosis.
People don't die of TB if they get some antibiotics. But Ronald Reagan, big hearted guy that he was, had put a lock-down embargo on medicine to Nicaragua because he didn't like the government that the people there had elected.
Ronnie grinned and cracked jokes while the young woman's lungs filled up and she stopped breathing. Reagan flashed that B-movie grin while they buried the mother of three.
And when Hezbollah terrorists struck and murdered hundreds of American marines in their sleep in Lebanon, the TV warrior ran away like a whipped dog ... then turned around and invaded Grenada. That little Club Med war was a murderous PR stunt so Ronnie could hold parades for gunning down Cubans building an airport.
Greg Palast is author of the New York Times bestseller, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy. www.GregPalast.com
Greg Palast: Reagan - More Proof Only The Good Die Young
You're not going to like this. You shouldn't speak ill of the dead. But in this case, someone's got to.
Ronald Reagan was a conman. Reagan was a coward. Reagan was a killer.
In 1987, I found myself stuck in a crappy little town in Nicaragua named Chaguitillo. The people were kind enough, though hungry, except for one surly young man. His wife had just died of tuberculosis.
People don't die of TB if they get some antibiotics. But Ronald Reagan, big hearted guy that he was, had put a lock-down embargo on medicine to Nicaragua because he didn't like the government that the people there had elected.
Ronnie grinned and cracked jokes while the young woman's lungs filled up and she stopped breathing. Reagan flashed that B-movie grin while they buried the mother of three.
And when Hezbollah terrorists struck and murdered hundreds of American marines in their sleep in Lebanon, the TV warrior ran away like a whipped dog ... then turned around and invaded Grenada. That little Club Med war was a murderous PR stunt so Ronnie could hold parades for gunning down Cubans building an airport.
Greg Palast is author of the New York Times bestseller, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy. www.GregPalast.com
IRAQ
Zmag: Doctrines And Visions: Who Is To Run The World, And How?
by Noam Chomsky
We have just passed the first anniversary of the President's declaration of victory in Iraq. I won't speak about what is happening on the ground. There is more than enough information about that, and we can draw our own conclusions. I will just mention one aspect of it: What has happened to Iraqis? About that, we know little, because it is not investigated. Some surprise has recently been voiced in the British press about this gap in our knowledge. That's a misunderstanding. It is quite general practice. Thus we do not know within millions how many people died in the course of the US wars in Indochina. Information and concern are so slight that in the only careful study I have found, the mean estimate of Vietnamese who died is 100,000, about 5% of the official figure and probably 2-3% of the actual figure. Virtually no one knows that victims of the US chemical warfare that began in 1962 are estimated at about 600,000, still dying, or that it was recently discovered that the use of devastating carcinogens was at twice the announced rate, and at levels incomparably beyond anything tolerated within the industrial societies -- all in South Vietnam; the North was spared this particular atrocity
Zmag: Doctrines And Visions: Who Is To Run The World, And How?
by Noam Chomsky
We have just passed the first anniversary of the President's declaration of victory in Iraq. I won't speak about what is happening on the ground. There is more than enough information about that, and we can draw our own conclusions. I will just mention one aspect of it: What has happened to Iraqis? About that, we know little, because it is not investigated. Some surprise has recently been voiced in the British press about this gap in our knowledge. That's a misunderstanding. It is quite general practice. Thus we do not know within millions how many people died in the course of the US wars in Indochina. Information and concern are so slight that in the only careful study I have found, the mean estimate of Vietnamese who died is 100,000, about 5% of the official figure and probably 2-3% of the actual figure. Virtually no one knows that victims of the US chemical warfare that began in 1962 are estimated at about 600,000, still dying, or that it was recently discovered that the use of devastating carcinogens was at twice the announced rate, and at levels incomparably beyond anything tolerated within the industrial societies -- all in South Vietnam; the North was spared this particular atrocity
VENEZUELA: COUP AGAIN LOOMING?
Zmag: VENEZUELA 2004
Nicaragua's Contra War Revisited by Toni Solo
Another article in the continuing media campaign in Britain against Venezuela's President Chavez again posits civil war as a possible sequel to the current recall referendum process in Venezuela. In a self-contradictory account published by the Guardian on May 25th, Miami Herald writer Sybilla Brodzinsky writes that the recall referendum “...may also be the last chance to avoid a civil war, experts say.” She offers no source for the assertion, although she might easily have cited President Chavez himself who has openly referred to the possibility of civil war – as a result of foreign intervention.
The insistence with which the spectre of a spontaneous civil war has been invoked lately in the less reactionary British media by writers like Rupert Cornwell in the Independent and now by Sybilla Brodzinsky in the Guardian is noteworthy. It is as though all mainstream media reporting on Venezuela have been briefed to spread anxiety about a civil war. Thus, such fears become the very prophecy the White House war-crime machine is already primed to make come true.
The way the “free press” works can be seen from a report by Martha Sanchez in the Washington Post on May 20th. She writes “State Department officials say they are talking with U.S. editorial writers, hoping to send a clear message to Chavez through the press: let the recall referendum happen or face the consequences.” Pass-the-parcel threats, accompanying misrepresentation and downright falsehood, are routine in mainstream reporting on Venezuela just as they were on Nicaragua through the 1980s. Other similarities abound.
CHECK IT
Zmag: VENEZUELA 2004
Nicaragua's Contra War Revisited by Toni Solo
Another article in the continuing media campaign in Britain against Venezuela's President Chavez again posits civil war as a possible sequel to the current recall referendum process in Venezuela. In a self-contradictory account published by the Guardian on May 25th, Miami Herald writer Sybilla Brodzinsky writes that the recall referendum “...may also be the last chance to avoid a civil war, experts say.” She offers no source for the assertion, although she might easily have cited President Chavez himself who has openly referred to the possibility of civil war – as a result of foreign intervention.
The insistence with which the spectre of a spontaneous civil war has been invoked lately in the less reactionary British media by writers like Rupert Cornwell in the Independent and now by Sybilla Brodzinsky in the Guardian is noteworthy. It is as though all mainstream media reporting on Venezuela have been briefed to spread anxiety about a civil war. Thus, such fears become the very prophecy the White House war-crime machine is already primed to make come true.
The way the “free press” works can be seen from a report by Martha Sanchez in the Washington Post on May 20th. She writes “State Department officials say they are talking with U.S. editorial writers, hoping to send a clear message to Chavez through the press: let the recall referendum happen or face the consequences.” Pass-the-parcel threats, accompanying misrepresentation and downright falsehood, are routine in mainstream reporting on Venezuela just as they were on Nicaragua through the 1980s. Other similarities abound.
CHECK IT
SITE OF THE DAY
NOAM CHOMSKY WEBLOG
The official weblog of Noam Chomsky, including exclusive, original observations drawn from personal correspondence, ZNet Sustainer Forums posts, and direct blog entries
NOAM CHOMSKY WEBLOG
The official weblog of Noam Chomsky, including exclusive, original observations drawn from personal correspondence, ZNet Sustainer Forums posts, and direct blog entries
Sunday, June 06, 2004
USA
Capitol Hill Blues: Bush's Erratic Behavior Worries White House Aides
President George W. Bush's increasingly erratic behavior and wide mood swings has the halls of the West Wing buzzing lately as aides privately express growing concern over their leader's state of mind.
In meetings with top aides and administration officials, the President goes from quoting the Bible in one breath to obscene tantrums against the media, Democrats and others that he classifies as "enemies of the state."
Worried White House aides paint a portrait of a man on the edge, increasingly wary of those who disagree with him and paranoid of a public that no longer trusts his policies in Iraq or at home
The President's abrupt dismissal of CIA Directory George Tenet Wednesday night is, aides say, an example of how he works.
"Tenet wanted to quit last year but the President got his back up and wouldn't hear of it," says an aide. "That would have been the opportune time to make a change, not in the middle of an election campaign but when the director challenged the President during the meeting Wednesday, the President cut him off by saying 'that's it George. I cannot abide disloyalty. I want your resignation and I want it now.'"
Tenet was allowed to resign "voluntarily" and Bush informed his shocked staff of the decision Thursday morning. One aide says the President actually described the decision as "God's will."
The mood here is that we're under siege, there's no doubt about it," says one troubled aide who admits he is looking for work elsewhere. "In this administration, you don't have to wear a turban or speak Farsi to be an enemy of the United States. All you have to do is disagree with the President."
"CHECK IT"
Capitol Hill Blues: Bush's Erratic Behavior Worries White House Aides
President George W. Bush's increasingly erratic behavior and wide mood swings has the halls of the West Wing buzzing lately as aides privately express growing concern over their leader's state of mind.
In meetings with top aides and administration officials, the President goes from quoting the Bible in one breath to obscene tantrums against the media, Democrats and others that he classifies as "enemies of the state."
Worried White House aides paint a portrait of a man on the edge, increasingly wary of those who disagree with him and paranoid of a public that no longer trusts his policies in Iraq or at home
The President's abrupt dismissal of CIA Directory George Tenet Wednesday night is, aides say, an example of how he works.
"Tenet wanted to quit last year but the President got his back up and wouldn't hear of it," says an aide. "That would have been the opportune time to make a change, not in the middle of an election campaign but when the director challenged the President during the meeting Wednesday, the President cut him off by saying 'that's it George. I cannot abide disloyalty. I want your resignation and I want it now.'"
Tenet was allowed to resign "voluntarily" and Bush informed his shocked staff of the decision Thursday morning. One aide says the President actually described the decision as "God's will."
The mood here is that we're under siege, there's no doubt about it," says one troubled aide who admits he is looking for work elsewhere. "In this administration, you don't have to wear a turban or speak Farsi to be an enemy of the United States. All you have to do is disagree with the President."
"CHECK IT"
Friday, June 04, 2004
SCIENCE
Heise: Der Kampf gegen die kalte Fusion
Teil 4: Was wäre, wenn sich jeder selber mit Energie versorgen könnte?
Die derzeit hohen Benzinpreise lassen uns spüren, wie sehr unsere Lebensweise von der Verbrennung fossiler Brennstoffe abhängt. Der Kinofilm The Day After Tomorrow ( Supersturm mit frostiger Botschaft) führt uns vor Augen, welchen Preis wir oder unsere Kinder im schlimmsten Fall für unseren unnatürlichen Energiedurst zahlen müssen. In Teil 1 ( Kalte Fusion wieder heiß) dieser Telepolis-Reihe wurde berichtet, dass Wissenschaftler 1989 eine Entdeckung bekannt machten, von der sie meinten, dass sie die Lösung unseres Energieproblems sein könnte: kalte Fusion. In Teil 2 ( Die unerzählte Geschichte der kalten Fusion) wurde berichtet, dass zahlreiche Forscher die Entdeckung reproduziert haben und dafür von den Meinungsführern unserer Gesellschaft diskreditiert worden sind. In Teil 3 ( Zur Theorie der kalten Fusion) wurde geschildert, dass Aussagen, kalte Fusion sei theoretisch unmöglich, wissenschaftlich nicht haltbar sind. Dieser Teil ist eine Episode zur Forschungspolitik. Die kalte Fusion ist von Teilen der Politik und der Wissenschaft aktiv bekämpft worden. Die Gründe dafür haben etwas damit zu tun, dass ein Kubikkilometer Meerwasser so viel Brennstoff enthält, wie in den gesamten bekannten Ölreserven schlummert, und dass nach Wunsch der Politik die heiße Fusion die Energiequelle der Zukunft sein soll.
Heise: Der Kampf gegen die kalte Fusion
Teil 4: Was wäre, wenn sich jeder selber mit Energie versorgen könnte?
Die derzeit hohen Benzinpreise lassen uns spüren, wie sehr unsere Lebensweise von der Verbrennung fossiler Brennstoffe abhängt. Der Kinofilm The Day After Tomorrow ( Supersturm mit frostiger Botschaft) führt uns vor Augen, welchen Preis wir oder unsere Kinder im schlimmsten Fall für unseren unnatürlichen Energiedurst zahlen müssen. In Teil 1 ( Kalte Fusion wieder heiß) dieser Telepolis-Reihe wurde berichtet, dass Wissenschaftler 1989 eine Entdeckung bekannt machten, von der sie meinten, dass sie die Lösung unseres Energieproblems sein könnte: kalte Fusion. In Teil 2 ( Die unerzählte Geschichte der kalten Fusion) wurde berichtet, dass zahlreiche Forscher die Entdeckung reproduziert haben und dafür von den Meinungsführern unserer Gesellschaft diskreditiert worden sind. In Teil 3 ( Zur Theorie der kalten Fusion) wurde geschildert, dass Aussagen, kalte Fusion sei theoretisch unmöglich, wissenschaftlich nicht haltbar sind. Dieser Teil ist eine Episode zur Forschungspolitik. Die kalte Fusion ist von Teilen der Politik und der Wissenschaft aktiv bekämpft worden. Die Gründe dafür haben etwas damit zu tun, dass ein Kubikkilometer Meerwasser so viel Brennstoff enthält, wie in den gesamten bekannten Ölreserven schlummert, und dass nach Wunsch der Politik die heiße Fusion die Energiequelle der Zukunft sein soll.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
New 911?
Global Free Press: Rogue Bush Backers prepare Super 9/11 False Flag Terror Attacks
Toronto, May 30 – Intelligence patterns monitored over the US Memorial
Day weekend now point conclusively to an imminent new round of ABC
(atomic-bacteriological-chemical) terror attacks in the United States,
Great Britain, Canada, and possibly other nations. These attacks could
include nuclear detonations, radiological dirty bombs, poison gas and
other chemical weapons, or biological agents, to be unleashed in such
urban settings as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC,
Vancouver BC, or London.
The goal of these operations would be to
produce a worldwide shock several orders of magnitude greater than the
original 9-11, with a view to stopping the collapse of the Bush
administration, the Wall Street-centered financial structures, and the
US-UK strategic position generally. The attacks would be attributed by
US/UK intelligence to controlled patsy terrorist groups who would be
linked by the media to countries like Iran, Syria, Cuba, or North
Korea.
Global Free Press: Rogue Bush Backers prepare Super 9/11 False Flag Terror Attacks
Toronto, May 30 – Intelligence patterns monitored over the US Memorial
Day weekend now point conclusively to an imminent new round of ABC
(atomic-bacteriological-chemical) terror attacks in the United States,
Great Britain, Canada, and possibly other nations. These attacks could
include nuclear detonations, radiological dirty bombs, poison gas and
other chemical weapons, or biological agents, to be unleashed in such
urban settings as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC,
Vancouver BC, or London.
The goal of these operations would be to
produce a worldwide shock several orders of magnitude greater than the
original 9-11, with a view to stopping the collapse of the Bush
administration, the Wall Street-centered financial structures, and the
US-UK strategic position generally. The attacks would be attributed by
US/UK intelligence to controlled patsy terrorist groups who would be
linked by the media to countries like Iran, Syria, Cuba, or North
Korea.
ISRAEL
Haaretz: Turkish PM - Israeli Treatment Of Palestinians Is State Terrorism
Israel is not contributing to the peace process, is killing women and children indiscriminately and destroying Palestinian houses, and there is no way to describe such actions except as "state terrorism," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an exclusive interview with Haaretz.
It was his first interview with a member of the Israeli media following growing tensions in bilateral relations between the two countries, sparked by Israel Defense Forces operations in Rafah.
Haaretz: Turkish PM - Israeli Treatment Of Palestinians Is State Terrorism
Israel is not contributing to the peace process, is killing women and children indiscriminately and destroying Palestinian houses, and there is no way to describe such actions except as "state terrorism," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an exclusive interview with Haaretz.
It was his first interview with a member of the Israeli media following growing tensions in bilateral relations between the two countries, sparked by Israel Defense Forces operations in Rafah.
MIDDLE EAST
Rense: The Fallacy Of Even-Handedness By Terrell E. Arnold The writer is a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer of the US Department of State
On May 19, the United States representative, James Cunningham, abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution that demanded the Israelis halt demolitions of Palestinian homes, mainly in the Rafah refugee camp in Gaza. Although the Israelis have destroyed more than 200 homes and rendered more than two thousand people homeless, in the process infuriating most of the world community, the US vote was typically at odds with world opinion, but it was sort of progress. For the second time in less than two years, the US representative abstained on a resolution critical of Israel and that permitted the resolutions, in both instances, to go into effect. Had the US used its veto, which it has done 38 times since 1972 regarding UN actions critical of Israel, the resolutions would have failed.
If it were to last, this US position in the Security Council would be significant, because the United States appears to have moved, at least for now, from refusing to allow UN criticism of Israel to refusing to block UN criticism of Israel. However, the US delegation to the UN has yet to take a flat out stand against anything the Israelis do, even though the US is often critical of the Palestinians.
Rense: The Fallacy Of Even-Handedness By Terrell E. Arnold The writer is a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer of the US Department of State
On May 19, the United States representative, James Cunningham, abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution that demanded the Israelis halt demolitions of Palestinian homes, mainly in the Rafah refugee camp in Gaza. Although the Israelis have destroyed more than 200 homes and rendered more than two thousand people homeless, in the process infuriating most of the world community, the US vote was typically at odds with world opinion, but it was sort of progress. For the second time in less than two years, the US representative abstained on a resolution critical of Israel and that permitted the resolutions, in both instances, to go into effect. Had the US used its veto, which it has done 38 times since 1972 regarding UN actions critical of Israel, the resolutions would have failed.
If it were to last, this US position in the Security Council would be significant, because the United States appears to have moved, at least for now, from refusing to allow UN criticism of Israel to refusing to block UN criticism of Israel. However, the US delegation to the UN has yet to take a flat out stand against anything the Israelis do, even though the US is often critical of the Palestinians.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Rense:Rumors Of Unusual Naval Deployments?
Hello Mr. Rense
There are many rumors flying around the internet concerning the deployment of a large number of U.S. military and navy ships. This is causing all sorts of questions, one being of course why? Where are they going? Is some big "event" or terrorist attack about to occur?
Not only that, but, apparently, large numbers of naval fleets from many other countries are heading out to sea, as well!
Monetary Forecast: Is The Fed Expecting Catastrophe?
From Robt McHugh's Monetary forecast of 5-30-4and Richard Russell today 6-2-4
Let me just say from the outset that the Federal Reserve has confirmed our Stock Market Crash forecast by raising the Money Supply (M-3) by crisis proportions, up another 46.8 billion this past week. What awful calamity do they see? Something is up. This is unprecedented, unheard-of pre-catastrophe M-3 expansion. M-3 is up an amount that we've never seen before without a crisis - $155 billion over the past 4 weeks, a $2.0 trillion annualized pace, a 22.2 percent annualized rate of growth!!! There must be a crisis of historic proportions coming, and the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States is making sure that there is enough liquidity in place to protect our nation's fragile financial system. The amazing thing is, the Fed's actions mean they know what is about to happen. They are aware of a terrible, horrific imminent event. What could it be?"
"One can draw no other conclusion except that the Fed is acting irresponsibly in its managing the money supply, in fulfilling its duty to "maintain a stable currency." I reject the notion that the Fed is acting irresponsibly. No, something is up, bigger than we have ever seen in the history of the United States. Let me ramble. Perhaps they simply see the ominous technical landscape we have been warning about in recent issues, and are attempting to pull out all the stops to avert the predicted crash. The recent rally in just about everything is similar to 2003's market behavior when the Fed pumped massive amounts of liquidity into the system during the first half of the year. This time seems different. The amount of liquidity is too large. The Fed is deflating the value of the monetary base by a fifth! Why are they willing to do this? Wisdom says something bad is up - big time."
Rense:Rumors Of Unusual Naval Deployments?
Hello Mr. Rense
There are many rumors flying around the internet concerning the deployment of a large number of U.S. military and navy ships. This is causing all sorts of questions, one being of course why? Where are they going? Is some big "event" or terrorist attack about to occur?
Not only that, but, apparently, large numbers of naval fleets from many other countries are heading out to sea, as well!
Monetary Forecast: Is The Fed Expecting Catastrophe?
From Robt McHugh's Monetary forecast of 5-30-4and Richard Russell today 6-2-4
Let me just say from the outset that the Federal Reserve has confirmed our Stock Market Crash forecast by raising the Money Supply (M-3) by crisis proportions, up another 46.8 billion this past week. What awful calamity do they see? Something is up. This is unprecedented, unheard-of pre-catastrophe M-3 expansion. M-3 is up an amount that we've never seen before without a crisis - $155 billion over the past 4 weeks, a $2.0 trillion annualized pace, a 22.2 percent annualized rate of growth!!! There must be a crisis of historic proportions coming, and the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States is making sure that there is enough liquidity in place to protect our nation's fragile financial system. The amazing thing is, the Fed's actions mean they know what is about to happen. They are aware of a terrible, horrific imminent event. What could it be?"
"One can draw no other conclusion except that the Fed is acting irresponsibly in its managing the money supply, in fulfilling its duty to "maintain a stable currency." I reject the notion that the Fed is acting irresponsibly. No, something is up, bigger than we have ever seen in the history of the United States. Let me ramble. Perhaps they simply see the ominous technical landscape we have been warning about in recent issues, and are attempting to pull out all the stops to avert the predicted crash. The recent rally in just about everything is similar to 2003's market behavior when the Fed pumped massive amounts of liquidity into the system during the first half of the year. This time seems different. The amount of liquidity is too large. The Fed is deflating the value of the monetary base by a fifth! Why are they willing to do this? Wisdom says something bad is up - big time."
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
USA
Independent: E-mail 'links Cheney to Halliburton deal'
The links between Dick Cheney and the Halliburton oil services company were under new scrutiny yesterday with the revelation of a Pentagon memo suggesting that the award to Halliburton of Iraq contracts was "co-ordinated" with the Vice-President's office.
The memo, reported in the latest issue of Time magazine, dates from March 2003, just before the invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, and deals with Halliburton's involvement in the multibillion-dollar contract RIO, or "Restore Iraqi Oil".
The e-mail says that the arrangements for RIO were approved by Douglas Feith, the under-Secretary of Defence for policy and the third-highest ranking civilian official at the Pentagon, "contingent on informing WH [White House] tomorrow. We anticipate no problems since action has been co-ordinated w [with] VP's [Vice-President's] office".
Independent: E-mail 'links Cheney to Halliburton deal'
The links between Dick Cheney and the Halliburton oil services company were under new scrutiny yesterday with the revelation of a Pentagon memo suggesting that the award to Halliburton of Iraq contracts was "co-ordinated" with the Vice-President's office.
The memo, reported in the latest issue of Time magazine, dates from March 2003, just before the invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, and deals with Halliburton's involvement in the multibillion-dollar contract RIO, or "Restore Iraqi Oil".
The e-mail says that the arrangements for RIO were approved by Douglas Feith, the under-Secretary of Defence for policy and the third-highest ranking civilian official at the Pentagon, "contingent on informing WH [White House] tomorrow. We anticipate no problems since action has been co-ordinated w [with] VP's [Vice-President's] office".
IRAQ
Guardian: 'It is the Iraqi people who want to nominate me'
A profile of Sheikh Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar, who was today appointed as Iraq's interim president
Guardian: 'It is the Iraqi people who want to nominate me'
A profile of Sheikh Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar, who was today appointed as Iraq's interim president
MEDIA WATCH
Guardian: NY Times Says It Was Duped By Pentagon 'Cunning'
The New York Times donned sackcloth and ashes again yesterday when its ombudsman said the newspaper had been duped by "the cunning campaign" of those that wanted the world to believe that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
Some stories, Daniel Okrent said, "pushed Pentagon assertions so aggressively you could almost sense epaulets on the shoulders of editors". The half-page critique of the newspaper's coverage during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq followed a separate admission signed by "the editors" last week that said the newspaper had not been as "rigorous as it should have been" in questioning Iraqi exiles.
Guardian: NY Times Says It Was Duped By Pentagon 'Cunning'
The New York Times donned sackcloth and ashes again yesterday when its ombudsman said the newspaper had been duped by "the cunning campaign" of those that wanted the world to believe that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.
Some stories, Daniel Okrent said, "pushed Pentagon assertions so aggressively you could almost sense epaulets on the shoulders of editors". The half-page critique of the newspaper's coverage during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq followed a separate admission signed by "the editors" last week that said the newspaper had not been as "rigorous as it should have been" in questioning Iraqi exiles.
MIDDLE EAST
Jerusalem Post: Egypt Tells Arafat: Reform Or Be Removed
Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman has reportedly warned Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to relax his grip on the reins of Palestinian power or face the possibility that Egypt and the US will cease to block Prime Minister Ariel Sharon from carrying out his threat to "remove" the chairman.
According to a report Monday in the pan-Arab Al-Quds-al-Arabi, Suleiman handed Arafat three demands:
First, to unite all the Palestinian security forces under one command authority, and into three components. These include the police, the Preventative Security Service (equivalent of Israel's General Security Service), and the Palestinian foreign security service (equivalent of Israel's Mossad).
Jerusalem Post: Egypt Tells Arafat: Reform Or Be Removed
Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman has reportedly warned Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to relax his grip on the reins of Palestinian power or face the possibility that Egypt and the US will cease to block Prime Minister Ariel Sharon from carrying out his threat to "remove" the chairman.
According to a report Monday in the pan-Arab Al-Quds-al-Arabi, Suleiman handed Arafat three demands:
First, to unite all the Palestinian security forces under one command authority, and into three components. These include the police, the Preventative Security Service (equivalent of Israel's General Security Service), and the Palestinian foreign security service (equivalent of Israel's Mossad).
Monday, May 31, 2004
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